title: [Network meta-analyses: Interest and limits in oncology].
abstract: In the last decade, a new method has emerged called 'network meta-analysis' to take into account all randomized trials in a given clinical setting to provide relative effectiveness between different treatments, whether or not they have been compared (pairwise) in randomized controlled trials. Network meta-analyses combine the results of direct comparisons from randomized trials with indirect comparisons between trials (i.e. when two treatments were not compared with each other, but have been studied in relation to a common comparator). The purpose of this note is to explain this method, its relevance and its limitations. A worked example in non-metastatic head and neck cancer is presented as illustration.
authors.affiliation: Gustave-Roussy, université Paris-sud, service de biostatistiques et d'épidémiologie, 94805 Villejuif, France; Plateforme Ligue nationale contre le cancer de méta-analyse en oncologie, Gustave-Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France. Electronic address: Laureen.majed@gustaveroussy.fr.
authors.forename: Laureen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ribassin-Majed
authors.affiliation: Gustave-Roussy, université Paris-sud, service de biostatistiques et d'épidémiologie, 94805 Villejuif, France; Plateforme Ligue nationale contre le cancer de méta-analyse en oncologie, Gustave-Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Pignon
authors.affiliation: Gustave-Roussy, université Paris-sud, service de biostatistiques et d'épidémiologie, 94805 Villejuif, France; Plateforme Ligue nationale contre le cancer de méta-analyse en oncologie, Gustave-Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Michiels
authors.affiliation: Gustave-Roussy, université Paris-sud, service de biostatistiques et d'épidémiologie, 94805 Villejuif, France; Plateforme Ligue nationale contre le cancer de méta-analyse en oncologie, Gustave-Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Blanchard
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D057186:Comparative Effectiveness Research; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D017594:Publication Bias; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Cancer; Comparaison indirecte; Essai randomisé; Indirect comparison; Méta-analyse en réseau; Network meta-analysis; Randomized trial