Meta Analysis of Chemotherapy with Best Supportive Care in the Survival of Inoperable Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 沈阳医学院学报

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the effects of chemotherapy on survival of patients with inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods:MEDLINE and EMBASE searches were supplemented by information from trial registers. RCT (randomized clinical trial) for chemotherapy of old generation and best supportive care in inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma was selected. Best supportive care may include some non-cytotoxic drug,such as tamoxifen,octreotide and so on. A quantitative meta-analysis using updated information basing on inclusion and exclusion criterion from all available RCT was carried out by two reviewers. The meta-analysis was based on 6 months survival rate and 1 year survival rate. Result:There was no significant improvement for chemotherapy of old generation in 6 months survival rate and 1 year survival rate as compared with best supportive care. Conclusions:There is no convincing evidence that inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma patients will benefit from chemotherapy. A large number of randomized controlled clinical studies should be performed to confirm the efficacy of chemotherapy.