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BMC Cancer
Published in: BMC Cancer 1/2008

Open Access 01-12-2008 | Research article

Gemcitabine based combination chemotherapy in advanced pancreatic cancer-indirect comparison

Authors: Asma Sultana, Paula Ghaneh, David Cunningham, Naureen Starling, John P Neoptolemos, Catrin Tudur Smith

Published in: BMC Cancer | Issue 1/2008

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Abstract

Background

Recent meta-analyses have found a survival advantage with gemcitabine based combinations over single agent gemcitabine in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. There is paucity of evidence in the form of direct head-to-head randomised controlled trials to determine which combinations are to be preferred.

Method

Using the adjusted indirect comparison method proposed by Bucher et al, we have assessed randomised controlled trials of four gemcitabine based combinations namely gemcitabine plus a platinum compound or 5-fluorouracil or irinotecan or capecitabine.

Results

No particular combination was significantly superior to another, but the indirect evidence suggests some important trends.

Conclusion

The strongest trends on indirect comparison are towards favouring gemcitabine plus capecitabine or gemcitabine plus a platinum compound over gemcitabine plus irinotecan, and to a lesser degree, over gemcitabine plus 5-fluorouracil.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Gemcitabine based combination chemotherapy in advanced pancreatic cancer-indirect comparison
Authors
Asma Sultana
Paula Ghaneh
David Cunningham
Naureen Starling
John P Neoptolemos
Catrin Tudur Smith
Publication date
01-12-2008
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Cancer / Issue 1/2008
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2407
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2407-8-192

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