In that presentation, Axel Hoos also made the point that cure is...

In that presentation, Axel Hoos also made the point that cure is not the only measure of success: If a treatment is not a cure, but affords a patient an extended period of quality life, is that not worthwhile?

A number of years ago, my brother in law was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma that had metastasised throughout his body (liver etc). Needless to say he was very ill. He was fortunate enough to get access to a treatment in clinical trial. The treatment was successful, and apparently cleared his body of the metastases. He had three more years of quality life before tumors were found in his brain, and with drug apparently not effective across the blood-brain barrier, he sadly died shortly after.

So in cases like this, the treatment is by any measurement a success, if not a permanent cure.