Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of thalidomide for treating multiple myeloma in China.
Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of thalidomide for multiple myeloma were collected from CNKI (1979 to 2008), CBMdisc (1979 to 2008), and VIP (1989 to 2008) databases. Other relevant journals were also handsearched. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated, and data analyses were performed using the Cochrane Collaboration’s software RevMan 4.3.
Results A total of 9 RCTs involving 324 patients were included. As for the total effective rate and complete remission rate, significant differences were found between thalidomide + MP vs. MP alone (RR=1.34, 95%CI 1.05 to 1.70; RR=1.77, 95%CI 1.26 to 2.49) and thalidomide + VAD vs. VAD alone (RR=1.45, 95%CI 1.20 to 1.75; RR=1.73, 95%CI 1.25 to 2.39).
Conclusion According to the domestic evidence, treatment for multiple myeloma with thalidomide can improve the total effective rate and the complete remission rate. However, more high–quality, large-sample, randomized, double-blind, controlled trials are required.
Citation： ZHU Ke,LIU Zhuogang,YANG Wei,JIANG Benchun. Effectiveness and Safety of Thalidomide for Treating Multiple Myeloma in China: A Meta-analysis. Chinese Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine, 2009, 09(8): 899-903. doi: 10.7507/1672-2531.20090158 Copy