title: Meta-analysis of randomised trials of systemic chemotherapy versus supportive treatment in non-resectable non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: We have conducted a meta-analysis of all published and unpublished 'polychemotherapy' versus 'best supportive care' clinical trials in patients with non-resectable non-small cell lung cancer to assess the usefulness of polychemotherapy in this cancer. Seven studies with more than 700 patients were selected for our meta-analysis. Our meta-analysis showed a reduction in mortality during the first months under polychemotherapy. Although quite small, this increase in survival, coupled with a certain improved 'quality of life' suggests that polychemotherapy should be recommended for patients with non-resectable non-small cell lung cancer.
authors.affiliation: Service de Pneumologie, Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud, Pierre Benite, France.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Souquet
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chauvin
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Boissel
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bernard
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D010166:Palliative Care; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data