Acta oncologica
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This report by The Swedish Council on Technology Assessment in Health Care (SBU) reviews, classifies, and grades the scientific literature on cancer chemotherapy in some major tumour types, describes the practice of chemotherapy in Sweden, compares practice with scientific knowledge, and analyses the costs and cost-effectiveness of chemotherapy. The report is intended primarily for decision-makers at various levels, both practitioners and administrators. It is also of interest for the medical profession. ⋯ In those days, clinical treatment studies did not fulfil the current high quality requirements. Small life-prolonging effects of chemotherapy are sometimes very well documented in large, high quality scientific studies. Some of these s
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A systematic review of chemotherapy trials in several tumour types was performed by The Swedish Council of Technology Assessment in Health Care (SBU). The procedures for the evaluation of the scientific literature are described separately (Acta Oncol 2001; 40: 155-65). This synthesis of the literature on chemotherapy for B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL) is based on data from 20 randomised controlled trials and one meta-analysis. ⋯ Thus, transplantation remains experimental; more patients and a longer follow-up are needed to assess if cure can be achieved. In the future an individual risk-adapted therapy will be required. The clinical heterogeneity of the disease has pointed to the necessity of new predictors for prognosis evaluated in prospective trials.
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A systematic review of chemotherapy trials in several tumour types was performed by The Swedish Council of Technology Assessment in Health Care (SBU). The procedures for evaluation the scientific literature are described separately (Acta Oncol 2001; 40: 155-65). This synthesis of the literature on chemotherapy for indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), predominantly follicular lymphoma, is based on 108 scientific reports including 31 randomised studies, 38 prospective studies and 18 retrospective studies. ⋯ The impact of the novel treatment strategies including high-dose therapy on overall survival is still uncertain. A monoclonal antibody, rituximab, is a new active substance for patients with relapsed lymphoma. It can induce remissions also in chemoresistant patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Morphine or oxycodone in cancer pain?
Oxycodone is an opioid analgesic that closely resembles morphine. Oxymorphone, the active metabolite of oxycodone, is formed in a reaction catalyzed by CYP2D6, which is under polymorphic genetic control. The role of oxymorphone in the analgesic effect of oxycodone is not yet clear. ⋯ Liver dysfunction affected selectively either oxycodone or morphine metabolism. Three patients with markedly aberrant plasma opioid concentrations are presented. Significant individual variation in morphine and oxycodone metabolism may account for abnormal responses during treatment of chronic cancer pain.