Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) 2009-2025: Broad Scope and Implementation - A Progress Report

Since its first activities in 2008 and 2009, the Response Assessment in NeuroOncology (RANO) group has given guidance on response assessment, trial design and trial procedures in order to improve and standardize the way clinical trials in neurooncological studies are performed. To achieve its objectives, a variety of working groups have been initiated that cover many aspects of clinical trial design and outcome assessment in patients with tumors affecting the Central Nervous System. The RANO working groups are built on expertise without a formal structure, which makes rapid responses to new developments possible. RANO is aiming at evidence based guidelines and recommendations, but in the absence of evidence will provide consensus based guidance achieved by inviting recognized international experts. In its 15 year of existence, more than 60 RANO papers have been published mostly in high ranking journals, and its recommendations have been accepted by regulators and industry as guiding principes. RANO organizes two meetings per year, one in conjunction with the annual American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting, and one during the annual Society for Neuro-Oncology meeting. These meetings are open, as are the working groups of RANO. New initiatives are welcomed.