24th-25th February 2025
Course tutors: Thomas Jaki
(University of Regensburg and MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of
Cambridge), Pavel
Mozgunov (MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge) and Libby
Daniells (MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge)
Course summary: Bayesian methods allow prior
information to be formally incorporated and updated when new data become
available and while such approaches are now routinely used in
dose-finding trials, their use for other trials is still rare. This
two-day short course will provide an introduction to Bayesian methods
with applications to clinical trials.
The first day will introduce the fundamentals of Bayesian statistics
and discuss a Bayesian view to trial design. Strategies for determining
prior distributions will be discussed and the practical implementation
of Bayesian designs in statistical software illustrated.
On the second day, adaptive elements that allow modification to the
design based on accruing data will be added to Bayesian clinical trials.
Two special topics of (i) using historical control data, and (ii)
precision medicine trials will also be covered.
The course will be a mix of lectures and practical session during
which the attendees will apply learned methods in problems motivated by
real clinical trials.