Meta-Analysis
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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 21, 2014; 20(47): 18001-18012
Published online Dec 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i47.18001
Efficacy and safety of gemcitabine-based chemotherapies in biliary tract cancer: A meta-analysis
Heng Liu, Qi-Di Zhang, Zheng-Hong Li, Qing-Qing Zhang, Lun-Gen Lu
Heng Liu, Qi-Di Zhang, Zheng-Hong Li, Qing-Qing Zhang, Lun-Gen Lu, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
Author contributions: Lu LG and Liu H designed the research; Liu H, Zhang QQ and Li ZH searched the databases, Liu H, Zhang QD and Lu LG performed the data extraction; Liu H analyzed the data; Liu H and Lu LG wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Lun-Gen Lu, MD, Professor, Chief, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 100 Haining Road, Hongkou District, Shanghai 200080, China. lungenlu1965@163.com
Telephone: +86-21-63240090 Fax: +86-21-63241377
Received: April 19, 2014
Revised: June 12, 2014
Accepted: July 11, 2014
Published online: December 21, 2014
Processing time: 245 Days and 9.7 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: To investigate the efficacy and safety of gemcitabine (Gem)-based combination chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced biliary tract cancer, the authors analyzed the potential impact of Gem-based combination chemotherapy and other regimens on the outcomes and toxicities of the patients using meta-analysis methodologies. Meta-analysis showed that compared with Gem monotherapy and non-Gem-based chemotherapy, Gem-based combination chemotherapy provided a modest improvement in survival but was associated with more toxicity.