Single-agent chemotherapy versus combination chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a quality and meta-analysis study

Abstract

Study objective: To estimate the quality of the studies and to compare single-agent with combination chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

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

Measurements and 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.