Sequential forms of the log rank and modified Wilcoxon tests for censored data

Abstract

Sequential procedures for the comparison of two groups of survival times are considered. The assumption that the two survival curves are members of a Lehmann family, i.e. the proportional hazards model, leads to a sequential version of the log rank test. The alternative assumption of a logistic family leads to a sequential modified Wilcoxon test. Theoretical large-sample properties of both methods are assessed for trials of realistic dimensions by computer simulation.