NorthWest Biotherapeutics Inc (NWBO)

[hyperopia]

The tumor response rate is the most commonly used surrogate endpoint in early cancer trials since it allows an early determination of anti-tumor activity, which may correlate to extended survival. Some immune checkpoint inhibitors were even approved on the basis of tumor response end points in nonrandomized trials.

In an interview a couple years ago with Al Musella, Stephen Brem said, “They’re looking at radiological markers. We do need a better biomarker that would really make all these trials to be more meaningful and be able to stop an effective trial, be able to accelerate effective when we see effective.” ( I transcribed the relevant part of the interview here)

So yes, if Northwest Bio can identify biomarkers that show that tumor response can predict longer survival, and is a meaningful endpoint, that would be huge, not only for this trial, but all future trials.