Single-agent chemotherapy versus combination chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a quality and meta-analysis study.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the quality of the studies and to compare single-agent with combination chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.


METHODS
Identification of published randomized trials and extraction of essential results directly from the published reports.


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.
Marino
P
P
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Milano, S. Paolo Hospital, Italy.
Preatoni
A
A
Cantoni
A
A
Buccheri
G
G
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents