Table 1 Characteristics of the cohort of oncology RCTs included in the analysis
Variable | Number of papers (N = 454) | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Cancer site | ||
Lung | 177 | 39.0 |
Breast | 165 | 36.3 |
Colorectal | 82 | 18.1 |
Stomach | 29 | 6.4 |
Liver | 7 | 1.5 |
Trial design | ||
Simple two-arm | 393 | 86.6 |
Multiple arms | 48 | 10.6 |
Factorial | 13 | 2.9 |
Use of placebo | ||
Yes | 41 | 9.0 |
No | 413 | 91.0 |
Treatment aim | ||
Adjuvant/Curative | 140 | 30.8 |
Metastatic/Palliative | 241 | 53.1 |
Both | 43 | 9.5 |
Supportive measures | 30 | 6.6 |
Treatment type | ||
Chemotherapy | 367 | 80.8 |
Surgery | 15 | 3.3 |
Hormones | 40 | 8.8 |
Best supportive care | 6 | 1.3 |
Radiation | 66 | 14.5 |
Monoclonal antibodies/targeted agents | 63 | 13.9 |
First line treatment | ||
Yes | 309 | 68.1 |
No | 145 | 31.9 |
Funding source | ||
Industry | 154 | 33.9 |
Mixed | 39 | 8.6 |
Not for profit | 107 | 23.6 |
Not specified | 154 | 33.9 |