[The role of meta-analysis in assessing the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer].
Meta-analysis is a statistical method allowing an evaluation of the direction and quantitative importance of a treatment effect observed in randomized trials which have tested the treatment but have not provided a definitive conclusion. In the present review, we discuss the methodology and the contribution of meta-analyses to the treatment of advanced-stage or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer. In this area of cancerology, meta-analyses have provided determining information demonstrating the impact of chemotherapy on patient survival. They have also helped define a two-drug regimen based on cisplatin as the gold standard treatment for patients with a satisfactory general status. Recently, the meta-analysis method was used to measure the influence of gemcitabin in combination with platinium salts and demonstrated a small but significant benefit in survival, confirming that gemcitabin remains the gold standard treatment in combination with cisplatin.
Pérol
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Service de Pneumologie, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Lyon.
Pérol
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D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D003841:Deoxycytidine; D002945:Cisplatin; D000093542:Gemcitabine