This is a readme file for running the Modified Toxicity Probability Interval (mTPI) method using Microsoft Office 2007. The mTPI method implements a Bayesian adaptive design for dose-finding phase I trials. We have written an Excel macro that performs two tasks:
- Generate dose-assignment table to be used for trial monitoring. The table contains all the possible dose-assignment decisions for a trial.
- Generate simulation results for various scenarios.
Step 0: Dowload two files: “mTPI.xlsm” and “ppi.xll”. Save them in a directory that you can easily open.
Step 1: Open the Macro file. To run the Excel macro, open the file “mTPI.xlsm” in Excel 2007. On the top left corner, there are three buttons designated for the macro. They are (1) Compute Dose (happy face), (2) Update ppi Inputs (number matrix), and (3) Run ppi Simulation (calculator).
Step 2: Set the security level and enable the macro. By default, the Excel disables all third-party macros. To enable the macro mTPI,
-Click on the Office button in the upper left corner.
-Click on the Excel Options button at the bottom.
-Click on the Trust Center option on the left.
-Click on the Trust Center Settings… button at the bottom.
-Click on the Macro Settings option on the left.
-Select “Enable all macros” on the right.
-Click OK at the bottom. Exit Excel and reopen “mTPI.xlsm”.
Step 3: Install the add-in file. The add-in file “ppi.xll” must be loaded to generate simulation results. To load it in,
-Click on the Office button in the upper left corner.
-Click on Excel Options button at the bottom.
-Click on Add-Ins option on the left.
-With Excel Add-ins in the dropdown box, click on the Go button.
-This brings up the add-ins dialog box.
-Browse to the directory containing ppi.xll and select it.
-The add-in “ppi.xll” should now be in the list of Add-Ins Available and check-marked. Click Ok to close the dialog box.
Step 4: The fun begins. Make sure there are three Macro buttons on the top left corner of the Excel and two spreadsheets called “ComputeDoseExample” and “PpiExample” at the bottom.
-Click on the “ComputeDoseExample” spreadsheet. Only the “happy face” button is needed for this spreadsheet, which generates the dose-assignment table.
-Click on the happy face and enjoy!
-Click on the “PpiExample” spreadsheet. The other two buttons are needed for this spreadsheet, which provides simulation results.
-Click on “number matrix” button (the second button) on top, provides all the trial parameters, click OK.
-Now pay attention to the spreadsheet. The top area contains the toxicity probabilities for each dose which must be given. Fill in the probabilities.
-Now click on the last button, “Calculator”, and enjoy!