Reporting Recommendations for Tumor Marker Prognostic Studies (REMARK): explanation and elaboration

• Published in: PLoS medicine Vol. 9; no. 5; p. e1001216
• Main Authors: Altman, Douglas G, McShane, Lisa M, Sauerbrei, Willi, Taube, Sheila E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 01.05.2012; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Biomarkers, Tumor; Biomedical Research - standards; Cancer; Checklist; Clinical trials; Diagnosis; Guidelines and Guidance; Guidelines as Topic; Humans; Medical research; Medicine; Neoplasms; Physiological aspects; Prognosis; Publishing - standards; Research Design - standards; Research Report; Science Policy; Studies; Tumor markers; United States; United Kingdom; Guidelines as Topic; Prognosis; Publishing; Tumor Markers, Biological; Humans; Checklist; Biomedical Research; Research Report; Research Design; Neoplasms
• ISSN: 1549-1676; 1549-1277; 1549-1676
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001216

The REMARK (Reporting Recommendations for Tumor Marker Prognostic Studies) guideline includes a checklist which aims to improve the reporting of these types of studies. Here, we expand on the REMARK checklist to enhance its use and effectiveness through better understanding of the intent of each item and why the information is important to report. Each checklist item of the REMARK guideline is explained in detail and accompanied by published examples of good reporting. The paper provides a comprehensive overview to educate on good reporting and provide a valuable reference of issues to consider when designing, conducting, and analyzing tumor marker studies and prognostic studies in medicine in general.