Determinants of clinical trial failure in multiple sclerosis: insights from ClinicalTrials.gov.

Abstract

Clinical trial failure -when a study is withdrawn or terminated for reasons unrelated to safety or efficacy-wastes resources and exposes patients to unnecessary risks. We examined such failures in the field of multiple sclerosis (MS). We searched ClinicalTrials.gov for phase III and IV MS drug trials conducted in 2008-2024. Trials were classified as normally ended or failed based on recruitment status and reported reasons. When information was missing, we reviewed publications and contacted prin