title: Survival benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer: an updated meta-analysis of 13 randomized control trials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The survival effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still unclear based on the study of most up-to-date literatures. This article contributes to this problem by conducting an updated meta-analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on Burdett et al's (J Thorac Oncol 2006;1:611-621) systematic review, this meta-analysis was conducted. Articles were searched electrically. The possible survival benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy was assessed by hazard ratio (HR) in terms of overall survival. A subgroup meta-analysis with only stage III NSCLC was also conducted. The software of Review Manager was used for data management.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen randomized control trials, 6 of which were new ones, were included into this meta-analysis. The overall survival of NSCLC patients in neoadjuvant chemotherapy arm were improved significantly, comparing with those in surgery-alone arm (combined HR = 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.77-0.92; p = 0.0001). When only patients with stage III NSCLC were considered, the result was similar (combined HR = 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.75-0.95; p = 0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, as an addition of surgery, would significantly improve the overall survival of operable NSCLC patients, including patients with stage III NSCLC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Wei-An
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Nai-Kang
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiang-Yang
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Chao-Yang
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Xiao-Dong
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Jun-Tang
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Wei-Min
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Dai
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome