Meta-analysis of inoperable pancreatic cancer: gemcitabine combined with cisplatin versus gemcitabine alone.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the therapeutic effects of gemcitabine (GEM) monotherapy with GEM-cisplatin (DDP) combination chemotherapy in patients with advanced stage pancreatic cancer (APCa) through meta-analysis.


METHODS
MEDLINE and EMBASE searches were supplemented by information from trial registers of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for GEM-DDP combination chemotherapy and GEM alone in APCa. A quantitative meta-analysis using updated information based on inclusion criteria from all available RCTs was carried out by two reviewers. The primary meta-analysis involved the overall survival (OS), objective remission rate (ORR) and toxicity.


RESULTS
The meta-analysis included six RCTs. There was no significant advantage for the GEM-DDP combination group in 6-month survival rate (P = 0.24) or clinical benefit rate (P = 0.58). There was a marginal significant improvement for the GEM-DDP combination group in ORR (RD = 6%, P = 0.05; RD, risk difference = risk in the GEM-DDP combination group - risk in the GEM alone group). Moreover, there was a significant improvement for the combination group in 6-month TTP/TTF (RD = 9%, P = 0.02). WHO grade 3-4 toxicity was higher for the GEM-DDP combination group in terms of neutropenia (RD = 6%, P = 0.08), thrombocytopenia (RD = 8%, P = 0.17) and vomiting/nausea (RD = 11%, P = 0.07); none reached significant difference.


CONCLUSIONS
GEM-DDP combination should not be recommended and GEM monotherapy remains the standard treatment for patients with APCa.
Xie
De Rong
de R
Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University and Zhongshan People's Hospital, Zhongshan, Guangdong Province, China. xiederong@21cn.com
Liang
Han Lin
HL
Wang
Yu
Y
Guo
Shuang Shuang
SS
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006801:Humans; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012306:Risk; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D003841:Deoxycytidine; D002945:Cisplatin; D000093542:Gemcitabine