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Single-agent chemotherapy versus combination chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a quality and
P Marino1, A Preatoni, A Cantoni
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Milano, S. Paolo Hospital, Italy.
Study Objective:
To estimate the quality of the studies and to compare single-agent with combination chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
Design:
Identification of published randomized trials and extraction of essential results directly from the published reports.
Measurements And Results:
Survival probability at 1 year, as estimated from the published survival curves, has been considered as the end-point of interest. Quality scoring of the studies has also been performed. Arithmetical calculation, concerning the estimation of quantities necessary for the meta-analysis of the literature, has been addressed. The estimated pooled Odds Ratio of death was 0.8, with 95% confidence interval of 0.6-1.0, thus favoring combination chemotherapy.
Conclusions:
The results of our meta-analysis favor combination chemotherapy. They must, however, be considered in the light of their clinical relevance and of the balance between quality of life, toxicity and costs of chemotherapy.