Evaluation of Prognostic and Predictive Models in the Oncology Clinic

Abstract

Predictive and prognostic models hold great potential to support clinical decision making in oncology and could ultimately facilitate a paradigm shift to a more personalised form of treatment. While a large number of models relevant to the field of oncology have been developed, few have been translated into clinical use and assessment of clinical utility is not currently considered a routine part of model development. In this narrative review of the clinical evaluation of prediction models in oncology, we propose a high-level process diagram for the life cycle of a clinical model, encompassing model commissioning, clinical implementation and ongoing quality assurance, which aims to bridge the gap between model development and clinical implementation.

Keywords: Life cycle; Model; Oncology; Personalised; Prediction; Radiotherapy.