Quality, evolution, and clinical implications of randomized, controlled trials on the treatment of lung cancer: a lost opportunity for meta-analysis

Article Abstract:

Meta-analysis is a method of comparing unrelated research studies and allowing the data to be combined. Often this method leads to better assessment of the risks, causes, and correlation of diseases and conditions. The present study reviews 150 research studies dealing with lung cancer and its treatments. The process of review established that few of the studies were properly designed, executed or reported. Although more recently executed and reported studies were found to be more valid than earlier studies, the overall conclusion of this study is that much lung cancer research is often so flawed and imprecisely reported as to make such meta-analysis impossible. This is particularly distressing because the number of studies, the cost involved, and the potential use of combining 150 studies which included more than 30,000 patients, could have resulted in important insights into the causes and treatment of this significant group of cancers. Perhaps this report will allow future investigators to plan, execute and report in a manner that will allow future trials to be more useful. Journal editors and review boards should also examine the need to exercise better judgment and establish stricter rules for the inclusion of studies.

Methods, Medical research, Lung cancer

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Genetics is coming to oncology

Article Abstract:

Many oncologists will have to refresh their knowledge of genetics. Cancer is characterized by cells that divide and grow when they are not supposed to, and this is often caused by a genetic mutation. The Human Genome Project will ultimately identify the sequences of all human genes, which should help oncologists identify cancer-causing genes in a patient's tumor. The type of mutation can often provide information about how the tumor will respond to different treatments. Several professional organizations are taking the lead in teaching medical students and physicians about cancer genetics.

Editorial, Education, Genetic aspects, Cancer genetics, Oncologists

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Toward Mechanism-Based Cancer Care

Article Abstract:

Research on the molecular basis of cancer will lead to treatments that target the molecular abnormality. This should lead to better outcomes for most patients.

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