Again, none of both markers are suitable indicators of therapy response in tumour-free early-stage melanoma patients (AJCC stage II or III).
ID, identification number; RRT, indicator of radiation therapy as derived from registry records (registry RT; 0 = RRT-; 1 = RRT+); RT, status of radiation therapy administration as gathered from medical record review (True RT; 0 = TRT-, 1 = TRT+).
Viral suppression is a key indicator of antiretroviral therapy (ART) response among HIV-infected patients.
In HCV-infected patients, evaluation of the progression of fibrosis is an important indicator of antiviral therapy [ 17].
Expression of ER and PGR is a routinely investigated indicator of endocrine therapy success in breast cancer [ 12, 13] and a modest, but significantly better overall survival of anti-estrogen receptor therapy has been documented [ 14].
The importance of the DLQI in measuring psoriasis patients' disease statuses, both at baseline and after treatment, is underlined by recent UK guidelines that recommend the DLQI serve both as an indicator of biologic therapy need and adequate treatment response [ 14].
We consider reduction of CCL2 and CXCL10 as good indicators of successful therapy, while elevation in STAT1 levels may indicate therapy resistance.
It is also possible that surgery is a surrogate indicator of more aggressive therapy overall, including more aggressive systemic therapy, which translates into better survival.
Drug cessation, or continued use, are key indicators of successful therapy in chronic disease, especially where the prospect of drug free remission is low 19 and drug costs are high.
