ESTIMATING THE PROPORTION OF IMMUNES IN CENSORED SAMPLES - A SIMULATION STUDY

We review currently known results concerning the estimation of an 'imm une' or 'cured' proportion, and testing for the presence of immunes, i n censored survival data, suggesting that a firm theoretical foundatio n now exists for analysis. Two types of estimators, parametric and non -parametric, are discussed and compared with respect to their theoreti cal properties, and, by simulation, with respect to their small sample behaviour. Both estimators have advantages and drawbacks, but togethe r provide powerful tools for the perceptive analysis of survival data with, or even without, immune individuals.