Long-term outcomes of neoadjuvant vs. adjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer

Overview

Featured Article

Asselain B, Barlow W, Bartlett J et al. Long-term outcomes for neoadjuvant versus adjuvant chemotherapy in early breast cancer: meta-analysis of individual patient data from ten randomised trials. Lancet. 2018 Jan 19;1:27-39

Expert Reviews

Methodological Reviewer: Steve Latosinsky, MD, MSc, FRCSC, Department of Surgery, Western University

Clinical Reviewer: Ralph George MD, FACS, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto

Clinical Reviewer:  Frances Wright, MD, MEd, FRCSC, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto

Supplementary Articles

Bhandari M, Devereaux, PJ, Montaori V, et al; for the Evidence-Based Surgery Working Group. Users’ guide to the surgical literature: how to use a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Can J Surg 2004;47(1):60-67

Questions

Please read the above articles and be prepared to discuss the following:

  1. What is the clinical question being addressed?
  2. Did the review explicitly address a sensible clinical question?
  3. Was the search for relevant studies detailed and exhaustive?
  4. Were the primary studies of high methodologic quality?
  5. Were assessments of studies reproducible?
  6. Were the results similar from study to study?
  7. What are the overall results of the review?
  8. How precise were the results?
  9. Were the clinically important outcomes considered?
  10. State the conclusion. Have the authors addressed the clinical question posed?
  11. Does the evidence support the conclusion?