A quantitative approach to the spread of variance in translational research using Monte Carlo simulation

Abstract The translation of promising preclinical research into successful trials often fails. One contributing factor is the “Princess and the Pea” problem, which refers to how an initially significant effect size dissipates as research transitions to more complex systems. This work aimed to quanti...

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Main Authors: Feyza Cukurova, Britta P. Gustavson, Andres G. Griborio-Guzman, Leonard A. Levin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2022-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-09921-3
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author Feyza Cukurova
Britta P. Gustavson
Andres G. Griborio-Guzman
Leonard A. Levin
author_facet Feyza Cukurova
Britta P. Gustavson
Andres G. Griborio-Guzman
Leonard A. Levin
author_sort Feyza Cukurova
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The translation of promising preclinical research into successful trials often fails. One contributing factor is the “Princess and the Pea” problem, which refers to how an initially significant effect size dissipates as research transitions to more complex systems. This work aimed to quantify the effects of spreading variability on sample size requirements. Sample size estimates were performed by Monte Carlo simulation. To simulate the process of progressing from preclinical to clinical studies, nested sigmoidal dose–response transformations with modifiable input parameter variability were used. The results demonstrated that adding variabilty to the dose–response parameters substantially increases sample size requirements compared to standared calculations. Increasing the number of consecutive studies further increases the sample size. These results quantitatively demonstrate how the spread of variability in translational research, which is not typically accounted for, can result in drastic increases in the sample size required to maintain a desired study power.
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spelling doaj.art-24901f25a3a6485dabab5d01a20e7e6f2022-12-22T01:51:38ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222022-04-0112111210.1038/s41598-022-09921-3A quantitative approach to the spread of variance in translational research using Monte Carlo simulationFeyza Cukurova0Britta P. Gustavson1Andres G. Griborio-Guzman2Leonard A. Levin3Department of Ophthalmology, McGill UniversityDepartment of Ophthalmology, McGill UniversityDepartment of Ophthalmology, McGill UniversityDepartment of Ophthalmology, McGill UniversityAbstract The translation of promising preclinical research into successful trials often fails. One contributing factor is the “Princess and the Pea” problem, which refers to how an initially significant effect size dissipates as research transitions to more complex systems. This work aimed to quantify the effects of spreading variability on sample size requirements. Sample size estimates were performed by Monte Carlo simulation. To simulate the process of progressing from preclinical to clinical studies, nested sigmoidal dose–response transformations with modifiable input parameter variability were used. The results demonstrated that adding variabilty to the dose–response parameters substantially increases sample size requirements compared to standared calculations. Increasing the number of consecutive studies further increases the sample size. These results quantitatively demonstrate how the spread of variability in translational research, which is not typically accounted for, can result in drastic increases in the sample size required to maintain a desired study power.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-09921-3
spellingShingle Feyza Cukurova
Britta P. Gustavson
Andres G. Griborio-Guzman
Leonard A. Levin
A quantitative approach to the spread of variance in translational research using Monte Carlo simulation
Scientific Reports
title A quantitative approach to the spread of variance in translational research using Monte Carlo simulation
title_full A quantitative approach to the spread of variance in translational research using Monte Carlo simulation
title_fullStr A quantitative approach to the spread of variance in translational research using Monte Carlo simulation
title_full_unstemmed A quantitative approach to the spread of variance in translational research using Monte Carlo simulation
title_short A quantitative approach to the spread of variance in translational research using Monte Carlo simulation
title_sort quantitative approach to the spread of variance in translational research using monte carlo simulation
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-09921-3
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