Objective To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with argon-helium cryotherapy system (AHCS) for primary hepatic carcinomas (PHC), and to provide references for clinical practice and research. Methods Such databases as The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were searched, and other sources like the relavant references were also retrieved to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about TACE combiend with AHCS for PHC published by May 1st, 2012. After literature screening, data extraction and quality evaluation performed by two reviewers independently according to the inclusion criteria, the meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.1 software. Results A total of 16 RCTs involving 1 467 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed: a) The TACE+AHCS group was superior to the TACE alone group in total effective rate, complete necrosis rate, 0.5-, 1-, 1.5-, 2- and 2.5-year survival rates, AFP, CD4 and Th/Ts cells, and there were significant differences (Plt;0.05); and b) The TACE+AHCS group was superior to the AHCS alone group in 0.5-, 1.5-, 2- and 2.5-year survival rates, AFP and Th/Ts cells, and there were significant differences (Plt;0.05). Conclusion Compared with the TACE or AHCS alone, TACE combined with AHCS can improve long-term survival rate and short-term curative effect, and improve PHC patients’ immunity. However, its long-term curative effect and safety still needs to be further verified by more large sample and high quality RCTs.
Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of nedaplatin combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) for advanced esophageal cancer. Methods Such databases as PubMed, The Cochrane Library, EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were searched from the date of their establishment to May 4th, 2012 to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about nedaplatin combined with 5-Fu versus cisplatin combined with 5-Fu for advanced esophageal cancer. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the quality of the included studies. Then meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.1 software. Results A total of 15 RCTs invloving 863 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis suggested that, compared with cisplatin combined with 5-Fu, nedaplatin combined with 5-Fu could improve short-term effects (RR=1.31, 95%CI 1.14 to 1.52, P=0.000 2) and reduce gastrointestinal reaction and renal function impairment, but it was associated with aggravated myelosuppression, increase of thrombocytopenia and leukopenia, and decrease of hemoglobin. There were no significant differences between the two groups in liver function impairment, diarrhea and peripheral neurovirulence. Conclusion Nedaplatin combined with 5-fluorouracil can increase short-term effects and reduce gastrointestinal reaction and renal function impairment. However, nedaplatin is associated with aggravated myelosuppression, so it should be applied in clinic with cautious. Nedaplatin combined with 5-fluorouracil can be used as a replacement chemotherapy regimen for advanced esophageal cancer, but the evidence about long-term effects and safety is still required. For the quality and quantity limitation of the included studies which decreases the level of evidence, so the conclusion of this systematic review only provides some references for clinical practice and research.
Objective To investigate the patient’s psychological anticipation and occurrence of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), and to assess the influence of CINV on quality of life, so as to provide evidence for clinical doctors to recognize and pay attention to CINV. Methods The patients in the Tongji Hospital affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology who took either moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC) or highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC) were randomly sampled with a questionnaire for two circles. Patients were asked to record the following indexes before chemotherapy, on the second day and the sixth day of chemotherapy: acute and delayed nausea and vomiting, independently taking antiemetics, and functional living index-emesis (FLIE). Then, descriptive analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were adopted for the outcomes of investigation. Results A total of 344 patients were investigated, of which 303 fulfilled the questionnaire finally. For the single-day chemotherapy, the acute nausea and vomiting, delayed nausea vomiting and overall complete remission in the MEC group were 86.1%, 76.6%, and 71.5%, respectively; while those of the HEC group were 84.1%, 71.0%, and 66.7%, respectively. For the multi-day chemotherapy, the acute nausea and vomiting, delayed nausea vomiting and overall complete remission were 93.8%, 64.9%, and 64.9%, respectively. Patients’ expectation of nausea and anticipatory anxiety was closely related to the delayed nausea in their prior circle of chemotherapy. Based on the FLIE assessment, about 30% of all patients reported reduced daily living function. Conclusion CINV remains a significant problem among patients in China, especially in controlling the reaction during delayed phase and nausea as well. It requires that more attention should be paid to CINV and more effective prophylaxis should be adopted in clinical practice.
Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of hyperthermia combined with chemotherapy for advanced colorectal cancer. Methods Databases such as CNKI, VIP, WanFang Data, CBM, EMbase, PubMed and The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2012) were electronically searched from the date of their establishment to June, 2012, and the relevant literature and conference proceedings were also manually searched to include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on comparison of chemotherapy with hyperthermia plus chemotherapy for advanced colorectal cancer. Two reviewers independently screened studies according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies. Then the meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.1 software. Results A total of 11 RCTs involving 708 patients with advanced colorectal cancer were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: a) as for effectiveness, the chemotherapy combined with hyperthermia group was superior to the chemotherapy group in the partial improve rate (OR=1.65, 95%CI 1.39 to 1.97, Plt;0.000 01) and the total effective rate (OR=3.59, 95%CI 2.51 to 5.12, Plt;0.000 01), with significant differences; b) as for safety, the chemotherapy combined with hyperthermia group was lower than the chemotherapy group in the incidence of neurotoxicity (OR=0.50, 95%CI 0.33 to 0.75, P=0.000 8). Conclusion Compared with chemotherapy, chemotherapy combined with hyperthermia can increase partial improve rate and total effective rate and reduce the incidence of neurotoxicity. Due to the limitation of the included studies, large sample size, multicenter, high quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion. We recommend that chemotherapy combined with hyperthermia therapy could be applied to clinic combining individual conditions of patients.
Objective To systematically review the effectiveness and safety of hyperthermia (HT) plus intraperitoneal hyperthermic perfusion chemotherapy (IHPC) versus IHPC alone for malignant ascites. Methods Such databases as PubMed, The Cochrane Library, EMbase, VIP, WanFang, CNKI and CBM were electronically and comprehensively searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on HT plus IHPC vs. IHPC alone for malignant ascites from inception to March 2013. Two reviewers independently screened studies according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data and assessed quality of the included studies. References of the included studies were also retrieved. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.1 software. Results A total of 16 RCTs involving 984 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, compared with the IHPC alone group, the HT plus IHPC group had a higher effective rate of controlling ascites (OR=3.40, 95%CI 2.58 to 4.48, Plt;0.000 01), better improvement in quality of life (OR=2.77, 95%CI 1.90 to 4.05, Plt;0.000 01), with significant differences. The two groups were alike in 1-year survival with no significant difference (OR=1.80, 95%CI 0.61 to 5.31, P=0.28). As for safety, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidences of nausea and vomiting, abdominal distension and pain, myelosuppression, diarrhea, and constipation. Conclusion The results of this systematic review show that, compared with IHPC alone, HT plus IHPC improves the effective rate as well as the quality of life of patients with malignant ascites, and it does not increase the incidences of adverse reactions. Due to the limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality RCTs with larger sample size are needed to verify the above conclusion.
Objective To systematically review the effectiveness and safety of implanting sustained-release 5-fluorouracil during hepatectomy in patients with primary liver cancer (PLC). Methods We electronically searched the following databases including CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMbase, WanFang Data, CBM, CNKI and VIP to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness and safety of implanting sustained-release 5-fluorouracil during hepatectomy vs. hepatectomy alone for PLC from inception to October, 2012. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data and assessed the quality of the included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.0 software. Results A total of 6 RCTs involving 951 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, implanting sustained-release 5-fluorouracil during hepatectomy significantly decreased the total recurrence rates of 1-year and 3-year (1 year: RR=0.48, 95%CI 0.36 to 0.65, Plt;0.000 01; 3 years: RR=0.69, 95%CI 0.50 to 0.96, P=0.03). However, the two groups were alike in decreasing the surem levels of AFP. Besides, the commonly-seen adverse reaction of implanting sustained-release 5-fluorouracil during hepatectomy included abdominal pain and bile leakage. Conclusion Implanting sustained-release 5-fluorouracil during hepatectomy can decrease the 1-year and 3-year recurrence rates of PLC patients, especially for HCC at the early stage. But this conclusion should be interpreted with caution and needs more strictly-designed RCTs with large sample size and enough long follow-up to verify.
Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of high-dose chemotherapy assisted with autologous peripheral blood stem cell treatment (APBSCT+HDC) for small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Methods The databases such as MEDLINE (1970 to January 2011), EMBASE (1980 to January 2011), Science Direct (1980 to January 2011), The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2010), CNKI (from the date of establishment to December 2010), CBM (from the date of establishment to December 2010) and Wanfang database (from the date of establishment to December 2010) were searched for collecting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on APBSCT+HDC for SCLC. According to the inclusive and exclusive criteria, the trials were screened, the data were extracted, the methodological quality was assessed, and then Meta-analysis was conducted by using RevMan 5.0 software. Results A total of 6 RCTs involving 737 patients with SCLC were included. The results of Meta-analyses were as follows: the APBSCT+HDC for SCLC was significantly superior to the conventional chemotherapy in the total effective rate (RR=1.14, 95%CI 1.07 to 1.21, Plt;0.000 1) and the overall survival rate (RR=3.74, 95%CI 2.13 to 6.58, Plt;0.000 01), and it was superior in reducing the incidence of III/IV grade red blood cell reduction (RR=1.97, 95%CI 1.15 to 3.38, P=0.01) and thrombopenia (RR=1.93, 95%CI 1.06 to 3.54, P=0.03) with significant differences; but there was no significant difference between the two groups in reducing the incidence of III/IV leukopenia. Conclusions Compared with the conventional chemotherapy, APBSCT+HDC treatment for SCLC can improve the overall effective rate and overall survival rate, but it can also increase the risks of severe hematologic toxic reaction. Because of the small scale and low quality of the included studies, this conclusion still needs to be confirmed by high-quality, large-scale and multi-centered RCTs.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of postoperative intraperitoneal hyperthermic perfusion chemotherapy (IHPC) for advanced gastric cancer, so as to provide references for clinical practice and study. Methods The following databases including The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang were searched on computer, and other searches were also performed to collect all relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on postoperative IHPC versus intravenous chemotherapy alone (IC) for advanced gastric cancer. The quality of the included studies was assessed according to Cochrane Handbook 5.1 for Systematic Review, and Meta-analysis was conducted by using RevMan 5.1 software. Results A total of 18 RCTs involving 2299 patients were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that: a) Efficacy evaluation: There were significant differences between the IHPC group and the IC group in 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival rate, 3- and 5-year recurrence rate, and 3- and 5-year distant metastasis rate; the OR value and 95%CI were 1.88 (1.49, 2.39), 2.45 (1.64, 3.67), 2.29 (1.92, 2.73), 2.17 (1.70, 2.76), 0.39 (0.29, 0.52), 0.54 (0.40, 0.72), 0.55 (0.38, 0.78), 0.58 (0.42, 0.81), respectively; b) Safety evaluation: There were significant differences between the IHPC group and the IC group in the incidence of abdominal pain, abdominal distension, nausea and vomiting; the OR value and 95%CI were 2.20 (1.58, 3.07), 7.00 (2.67, 18.36), 0.65 (0.45, 0.95), respectively. But there were no significant differences between the IHPC group and the IC group in the incidence of alopecia, ileus, bone marrow inhibition, and hepatic lesion. Conclusion Compared with IC, postoperative IHPC+IC can improve survival rate and reduce the recurrence and distant metastasis rate; additionally, it is safe and feasible, so it is recommended that the detailed condition of patients should be taken into consideration when the postoperative IHPC+IC therapy is applied to clinic.
Objective To assess the safety and effect of different intravenous chemotherapic regimens in patients with gastric carcinomas who had received gastrectomy. Method A systematic review of all the relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed. RCTs were identified from Medline and Embase (1980-2001.4), Chinese Bio-medicine Database (1990-2001.1). Literature references were checked at the same time. We included randomized andquasi-randomized trials in patients with confirmed gastric carcinomas who had received gastrectomy comparing the effect of intravenous chemotherapy after gastrectomy with that of gastrectomy alone.Results Twenty trials involving 4 171 patients were included. Meta-analysis was done with fixed effects model. Heterogeneity analyses was performed also. The effects of intravenous chemotherapy with 5FU + MCCNU, 5FU + MMC, 5FU + BCNU or FAM after gastrectomy were failed to show have better effects than that of surgery alone. There were eleven trials which detailed the side effects according to the toxicity grade by WHO standard. The side effects halting treatment were haematologic and biochemical toxicity, debilitating nausea and vomiting. There were twenty-two patients died of chemotherapic toxicity. Conclusions Based on the review, there is no enough evidence to show that intravenous chemotherapy after gastrectomy have positive treatment effect on gastric cancer.
Objective To assess the effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy with complete resection for non-small cell lung cancer. Methods We searched MEDLINE （1966 ～ 2005 ）, EMBASE （1984-2005 ）, The Cochrane Library （Issue 2,2005 ）, CBMdisc （1979-2005 ）, CNKI （1994-2005 ）, VIP （1989-2005 ）, CMCC （1994-2005 ） and Wanfang Database with key words of non-small cell lung cancer or NSCLC and adjuvant chemotherapy, to identify randomized control trials （RCTs） of platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy plus complete resection versus complete resection alone for non-small cell lung cancer patients. Two reviewers evaluated the quality of literature independently. Then we conducted meta-analysis using RevMan 4.2.7 software. Results We identified 9 RCTs and did not carry out pool analysis for the difference of chemotherapy regimens between the studies. The results of three studies showed that 5 years＇ mortality of adjuvant chemotherapy group was lower than that of surgery group alone. The results of the other 6 studies showed there was no statistical difference in 5 years＇ mortality between the adjuvant chemotherapy plus surgery and surgery alone groups. Conclusions The effectiveness of some adjuvant chemotherapy regimens with complete resection in patients with non-small cell lung cancer has been improved. But the number of each chemotherapy regimen RCT is too small and with poor quality. So more multi-center RCTs with a larger sample size and high quality are needed.