First-line systemic chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review.

Introduction: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) frequently presents at an incurable stage, and a majority of patients will be considered for palliative chemotherapy at some point in their disease. This article reviews the growing evidence for first-line treatment in NSCLC.

Methods: Studies of first-line chemotherapy regimens including new agents (docetaxel, gemcitabine, irinotecan, paclitaxel, pemetrexed, and vinorelbine) and targeted agents (bevacizumab, erlotinib, and gefitinib) were identified through Medline, Embase, the Cochrane databases, and web sites of guideline organizations.

Evidence-based approach to the introduction of positron emission tomography in ontario, Canada.

Purpose: The uptake of new health care technologies is usually driven by industry promotion, physician interest, patient demand, and institutional ability to acquire the technology. The introduction of positron emission tomography (PET) scanning in the province of Ontario, Canada, followed a different path.

Methods: The Ontario provincial government, through its Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, commissioned a systematic review of the literature.

Management of unresected stage III non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review.

Purpose: To conduct a systematic review to determine the most effective therapy for patients with unresected stage III non-small cell lung cancer.

Methods: Relevant randomized trials and meta-analyses were identified through a systematic search of the literature.

Results: Forty-seven trials and six meta-analyses were included.