Wrbka et al. (1987): Unterstützung der Chemotherapie inoperabler Karzinome durch proteolytische Fermente: Difference between revisions
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=Brief summary= | =Brief summary= | ||
A total of 51 patients with various forms of lung cancer were included in this study. All patients included received the same radiotherapy. However, one arm with 25 patients also received enzyme therapy using klysms. The question of this study is whether this enzyme therapy can positively influence the tolerability of chemotherapy and even improve the success of the therapy. This means that either the quality of life improves while the radiological findings remain the same or the quality of life and radiological findings improve in equal measure. The results of the study show that there are fewer treatment cancellations in the enzyme-arm and that survival times and quality of life are higher in this arm. Unfortunately, these results were not further analysed statistically, only quantitative comparisons were made. However, the authors are in favour of enzyme therapy. | A total of 51 patients with various forms of lung cancer were included in this study. All patients included received the same radiotherapy. However, one arm with 25 patients also received enzyme therapy using klysms. The question of this study is whether this enzyme therapy can positively influence the tolerability of chemotherapy and even improve the success of the therapy. This means that either the quality of life improves while the radiological findings remain the same or the quality of life and radiological findings improve in equal measure. The results of the study show that there are fewer treatment cancellations in the enzyme-arm and that survival times and quality of life are higher in this arm. Unfortunately, these results were not further analysed statistically, only quantitative comparisons were made. However, the authors are in favour of enzyme therapy. | ||
In dieser Studie werden insgesamt 51 Patienten mit verschiedenen Ausprägungen von Lungenkrebs eingeschlossen. Alle eingeschlossenen Patienten erhalten dabei die gleiche Strahlentherapie. Ein Arm mit 25 Patienten erhält jedoch zusätzlich eine Enzymtherapie mittels Klysmen. Die Fragestellung dieser Studie ist nun, ob diese Enzymtherapie die Verträglichkeit der Chemotherapie positiv beeinflussen kann und sogar den Erfolg der Therapie verbessert. Damit ist gemeint, dass entweder sich die Lebensqualität bei gleichbleibendem Röntgenbefund verbessert oder sich Lebensqualität und Röntgenbefund gleichermaßen verbessern. Die Ergebnisse der Studie sind, dass es zu weniger Therapieabbrüchen im Enzym-Arm kommt und die Überlebenszeiten und die Lebensqualität in diesem Arm höher sind. Leider sind diese Ergebnisse nicht weiter statistisch ausgewertet, sondern es sind nur quantitative Vergleiche gezogen worden. Die Autoren sprechen sich jedoch für eine Enzymtherapie aus. | In dieser Studie werden insgesamt 51 Patienten mit verschiedenen Ausprägungen von Lungenkrebs eingeschlossen. Alle eingeschlossenen Patienten erhalten dabei die gleiche Strahlentherapie. Ein Arm mit 25 Patienten erhält jedoch zusätzlich eine Enzymtherapie mittels Klysmen. Die Fragestellung dieser Studie ist nun, ob diese Enzymtherapie die Verträglichkeit der Chemotherapie positiv beeinflussen kann und sogar den Erfolg der Therapie verbessert. Damit ist gemeint, dass entweder sich die Lebensqualität bei gleichbleibendem Röntgenbefund verbessert oder sich Lebensqualität und Röntgenbefund gleichermaßen verbessern. Die Ergebnisse der Studie sind, dass es zu weniger Therapieabbrüchen im Enzym-Arm kommt und die Überlebenszeiten und die Lebensqualität in diesem Arm höher sind. Leider sind diese Ergebnisse nicht weiter statistisch ausgewertet, sondern es sind nur quantitative Vergleiche gezogen worden. Die Autoren sprechen sich jedoch für eine Enzymtherapie aus. | ||
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|Inclusion criteria=Patients with untreated inoperable bronchopulmonary carcinomas of various entities | |Inclusion criteria=Patients with untreated inoperable bronchopulmonary carcinomas of various entities | ||
|Exclusion criteria=? | |Exclusion criteria=? | ||
|N randomized= | |N randomized=51 | ||
|Analysis=ITT Analysis | |Analysis=ITT Analysis | ||
|Specifications on analyses= | |Specifications on analyses=The specific analysis method is not stated in the study, however, according to the authors, all included patients were evaluated at the end of the study | ||
|Countries of data collection=Austria | |Countries of data collection=Austria | ||
|LoE=2b Oxford 2009 | |LoE=2b Oxford 2009 | ||
|Outcome timeline=T0: Baseline | |Outcome timeline=T0: Baseline | ||
T1: | T1: on average 2 weeks (1-4 weeks) | ||
}} | }} | ||
=Characteristics of participants= | =Characteristics of participants= | ||
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|Stage cancer=Early Stage, Advanced Stage | |Stage cancer=Early Stage, Advanced Stage | ||
|Cancer stage specification=51 Patients with untreated inoperable bronchopulmonary carcinomas of various entities: | |Cancer stage specification=51 Patients with untreated inoperable bronchopulmonary carcinomas of various entities: | ||
Enzyme-arm: | Enzyme-arm: | ||
stage II = 5; stage III = 6; stage IV = 15 | stage II = 5; stage III = 6; stage IV = 15 | ||
Control-arm: | Control-arm: | ||
stage II = 3; stage III = 6; stage IV = 16 | stage II = 3; stage III = 6; stage IV = 16 | ||
|Comorbidity=Concomitant diseases in 51 patients in enzyme-arm (E) and control-arm (C) | |Comorbidity=Concomitant diseases in 51 patients in enzyme-arm (E) and control-arm (C): | ||
Cardiopathy (temporarily decompensated): E = 5; C = 3 | Cardiopathy (temporarily decompensated): E = 5; C = 3 | ||
Inactive tuberculosis: E = 0; C = 1 | Inactive tuberculosis: E = 0; C = 1 | ||
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Previous carcinoma of another organ: E = 2; C = 2 | Previous carcinoma of another organ: E = 2; C = 2 | ||
|Current cancer therapy=Chemotherapy | |Current cancer therapy=Chemotherapy | ||
|Specifications on cancer therapies=Patients with untreated inoperable bronchopulmonary carcinomas of various entities | |Specifications on cancer therapies=Patients with untreated inoperable bronchopulmonary carcinomas of various entities; 4 out of 51 patients had previously undergone surgery or radiotherapy for carcinoma in another organ | ||
|Previous cancer therapies=No therapy | |Previous cancer therapies=No therapy, Surgery, Radiation therapy | ||
|Gender=Mixed | |Gender=Mixed | ||
|Gender specifications=Gender per arm: | |Gender specifications=Gender per arm: | ||
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|One-time application=No | |One-time application=No | ||
|Duration in days=14 | |Duration in days=14 | ||
|Side Effects / Interactions=Treatment with Wobe Mogos E: | |Side Effects / Interactions=Treatment with Wobe Mogos E: | ||
Tolerance of microclysms (67 patients in the evaluation): 87.3% of patients with good tolerance, 4 patients with sphincter weakness and limited ability to administer, 12.7% of patients with discontinuation due to gastrointestinal side effects | Tolerance of microclysms (67 patients in the evaluation): 87.3% of patients with good tolerance, 4 patients with sphincter weakness and limited ability to administer, 12.7% of patients with discontinuation due to gastrointestinal side effects | ||
Tolerance | Tolerance of dragées (58 patients in the evaluation): 71.4% of patients with good tolerance, 28.6% of patients with discontinuation; in 27% of patients, intake could not be assessed due to unauthorised discontinuation or incorrect information | ||
Tolerance of local intrapleural application ( | Tolerance of local intrapleural application (33 patients in the evaluation): 96.9% of patients with good tolerance, 3.1% of patients with discontinuation | ||
|Order number=1 | |Order number=1 | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Arm | {{Arm | ||
|Arm type= | |Arm type=Passive control | ||
|Number of participants (arm)=26 | |Number of participants (arm)=26 | ||
|Drop-out=NI | |Drop-out=NI | ||
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|One-time application=No | |One-time application=No | ||
|Duration in days=14 | |Duration in days=14 | ||
|Side Effects / Interactions= | |Side Effects / Interactions=NI | ||
|Order number=2 | |Order number=2 | ||
}} | }} | ||
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|Outcome type=Primary | |Outcome type=Primary | ||
|Outcome name=Tolerability | |Outcome name=Tolerability | ||
|Outcome specification=Tolerance of cytostatic therapy/survival time (reference date 30 September 1977) | |Outcome specification=Tolerance of cytostatic therapy/survival time (reference date 30 September 1977) regarding side effects and the infusions administered | ||
|Type of measurement=Observation | |Type of measurement=Observation | ||
|Results during intervention= | |Results during intervention=NI | ||
|Results after intervention=Treatment discontinuations:There were 2 treatment discontinuations in the enzyme-arm and 9 treatment discontinuations in the control arm due to more severe side effects such as leukocyte fall, apthae of the oral mucosa or increase in the BUN value. | |Results after intervention=Treatment discontinuations: There were 2 treatment discontinuations in the enzyme-arm and 9 treatment discontinuations in the control-arm due to more severe side effects such as leukocyte fall, apthae of the oral mucosa or increase in the BUN value. | ||
Patients with a survival time of more than 6 months are considered here (16 subjects): | Patients with a survival time of more than 6 months are considered here (16 subjects): | ||
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Control-arm: 8 patients with an average of 3.37 infusions and a mean survival time of 16.3 months; | Control-arm: 8 patients with an average of 3.37 infusions and a mean survival time of 16.3 months; | ||
Distribution across all patients in both arms: Enzyme-arm = 6.88 infusions; | Distribution across all patients in both arms: Enzyme-arm = 6.88 infusions; Control-arm = 4.50 infusions | ||
|Bias arising from the randomization process=? | |Bias arising from the randomization process=? | ||
|Bias due to deviation from intended intervention (assignment to intervention)=? | |Bias due to deviation from intended intervention (assignment to intervention)=? | ||
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|Outcome type=Primary | |Outcome type=Primary | ||
|Outcome name=Quality of life | |Outcome name=Quality of life | ||
|Outcome specification= | |Outcome specification=Vitagramm: 4 qualities of life: | ||
|Type of measurement= | 1. employable or able to work, free of complaints | ||
|Results during intervention= | 2. care-free, only minor complaints | ||
|Results after intervention=In patients with survival > 6 months, more patients with better quality of life | 3. in need of care, more severe symptoms | ||
4. bedridden and/or very severe discomfort | |||
|Type of measurement=Scale | |||
|Results during intervention=NI | |||
|Results after intervention=In patients with survival > 6 months, more patients with better quality of life in enzyme-arm (n=8) compared to control-arm (n=8): (Class I, II enzyme-arm: 81.9% vs. control-arm: 73.3%); similar quality of life in patients with < 6 months survival | |||
|Bias arising from the randomization process=? | |Bias arising from the randomization process=? | ||
|Bias due to deviation from intended intervention (assignment to intervention)=? | |Bias due to deviation from intended intervention (assignment to intervention)=? | ||
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|Outcome type=? | |Outcome type=? | ||
|Outcome name=Therapy success | |Outcome name=Therapy success | ||
|Outcome specification= | |Outcome specification=Treatment success based on the radiological findings and quality of life (improved if general condition increased and radiological findings remain the same or improved) | ||
|Type of measurement= | |Type of measurement=Observation | ||
|Results during intervention= | |Results during intervention=NA | ||
|Results after intervention=Enzyme-arm: 68% improvement compared to control-arm: 57.69% improvement | |Results after intervention=Enzyme-arm: 68% improvement compared to control-arm: 57.69% improvement | ||
|Bias arising from the randomization process=? | |Bias arising from the randomization process=? | ||
|Bias due to deviation from intended intervention (assignment to intervention)=? | |Bias due to deviation from intended intervention (assignment to intervention)=? | ||
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{{Further points for assessing the study | {{Further points for assessing the study | ||
|power analysis performed=? | |||
|Sample size corresponds to power analysis=? | |||
|Reasons given for samples being too small according to power analysis=? | |||
|Samples sufficiently large=? | |Samples sufficiently large=? | ||
|Ethnicity mentioned=? | |Ethnicity mentioned=? | ||
|Other explanations for an effect besides the investigated intervention=? | |||
|Possibility of attention effects=? | |Possibility of attention effects=? | ||
|Possibility of placebo effects=? | |Possibility of placebo effects=? | ||
|Other reasons=? | |Other reasons=? | ||
|Correct use of parametric and non-parametric tests=? | |||
|Correct | |||
|Correction for multiple testing=? | |Correction for multiple testing=? | ||
|Measurement of compliance=? | |Measurement of compliance=? | ||
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|Check whether blinding was successful=? | |Check whether blinding was successful=? | ||
|Consistent reporting in numbers=? | |Consistent reporting in numbers=? | ||
|Comprehensive and coherent reporting=? | |||
|Cross-over=? | |||
|sufficient washout period=? | |sufficient washout period=? | ||
|Tested for carry-over effects=? | |Tested for carry-over effects=? | ||
|Were sequence effects tested=? | |Were sequence effects tested=? | ||
| | |Effect sizes reported=? | ||
|Were side effects systematically recorded=? | |Were side effects systematically recorded=? | ||
|Side effects taken into account in the interpretation of the results=? | |Side effects taken into account in the interpretation of the results=? | ||
|Ethics / CoI / Funding=? | |||
|reasons given for samples being too small according to power analysis=? | |||
|Testing for normal distribution=? | |||
|Correct application of statistical tests=? | |||
|mono- or multicentric=? | |mono- or multicentric=? | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Additional Notes | {{Additional Notes |
Revision as of 17:07, 26 August 2024
Reference ↗ | |
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Title | Unterstützung der Chemotherapie inoperabler Karzinome durch proteolytische Fermente |
Topic | Enzymes (bromelain papain) |
Author | Wrbka, E, Kodras, B |
Year | 1978 |
Journal | Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift |
DOI |
Study Note
Brief summary
A total of 51 patients with various forms of lung cancer were included in this study. All patients included received the same radiotherapy. However, one arm with 25 patients also received enzyme therapy using klysms. The question of this study is whether this enzyme therapy can positively influence the tolerability of chemotherapy and even improve the success of the therapy. This means that either the quality of life improves while the radiological findings remain the same or the quality of life and radiological findings improve in equal measure. The results of the study show that there are fewer treatment cancellations in the enzyme-arm and that survival times and quality of life are higher in this arm. Unfortunately, these results were not further analysed statistically, only quantitative comparisons were made. However, the authors are in favour of enzyme therapy.
In dieser Studie werden insgesamt 51 Patienten mit verschiedenen Ausprägungen von Lungenkrebs eingeschlossen. Alle eingeschlossenen Patienten erhalten dabei die gleiche Strahlentherapie. Ein Arm mit 25 Patienten erhält jedoch zusätzlich eine Enzymtherapie mittels Klysmen. Die Fragestellung dieser Studie ist nun, ob diese Enzymtherapie die Verträglichkeit der Chemotherapie positiv beeinflussen kann und sogar den Erfolg der Therapie verbessert. Damit ist gemeint, dass entweder sich die Lebensqualität bei gleichbleibendem Röntgenbefund verbessert oder sich Lebensqualität und Röntgenbefund gleichermaßen verbessern. Die Ergebnisse der Studie sind, dass es zu weniger Therapieabbrüchen im Enzym-Arm kommt und die Überlebenszeiten und die Lebensqualität in diesem Arm höher sind. Leider sind diese Ergebnisse nicht weiter statistisch ausgewertet, sondern es sind nur quantitative Vergleiche gezogen worden. Die Autoren sprechen sich jedoch für eine Enzymtherapie aus.
Study Design
Prospective / Retrospective Prospective: forward-looking, examples include clinical trials, cohort studies, and long-term observational studies;</br>Retrospective: backward-looking, relying on existing data, examples include case-control studies and retrospective cohort studies | Prospective |
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Monocentric / Multicentric Monocentric: conducted in one center/ hospital; </br>Multicentric: conducted in multiple centers/ hospitals | ? |
Blinding No: Open, all parties are aware of group assignments;</br>Single: one party is unaware of group assignments (generally participants);</br>Double: two parties are unaware of group assignments (generally the participants and the researchers); </br>Triple: concealing group assignment from additional parties | No |
Is randomized | Yes |
Cross-over Participants alternate between different treatment groups or conditions over a specified period, allowing each participant to serve as their own control | No |
Number of arms | 2 |
Study characteristics
Inclusion criteria | Patients with untreated inoperable bronchopulmonary carcinomas of various entities |
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Exclusion criteria | ? |
N randomized | 51 |
Analysis PP: Per Protocol analysis, i.e. only participants included who adhered to the study protocol.</br>ITT: Intention-to-treat analysis, i.e. all randomized participants included regardless of any drop-outs or changes in assignment.</br>mITT: modified Intention-to-treat analysis can refer to analyses in which participants with missing outcome data are excluded or it can refer to analyses in which only participants who received at least one treatment dose are included. In this case, participants dropped out of the study prematurely for reasons unrelated to the treatment. | ITT Analysis |
Specifications on analyses | The specific analysis method is not stated in the study, however, according to the authors, all included patients were evaluated at the end of the study |
Countries of data collection | Austria |
LoE Level of evidence | 2b Oxford 2009 |
Outcome timeline Data collection times | T0: Baseline
T1: on average 2 weeks (1-4 weeks) |
Characteristics of participants
Setting Refers to cancer therapy setting.</br>- Curative therapy: aims to completely eradicate a disease and achieve a full recovery; </br>- Neo-adjuvant therapy: form of curative therapy, given before the primary treatment for cancer (usually surgery); </br>- Adjuvant therapy: form of curative therapy, given after the primary treatment for cancer (usually surgery); </br>- Palliative therapy: focuses on providing relief from symptoms and improving the quality of life for patients, without necessarily targeting the underlying disease; </br>- Active surveillance: involves close monitoring of disease progression without any intervention (typically used for prostate cancer);</br>- No therapy setting: Patients who completed therapy/are currently not in cancer treatment, cancer survivors. | Curative |
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Types of cancer "Other Cancers" means that only a subpopulation was specified, but further unspecified cancer types were included | Lung Cancer |
Cancer stages Early Stage: generally refers to cancer that is localized to the area where it started, mostly stages I and II;</br>Advanced Stage: cancer that has spread beyond its original site, mostly stages III and IV, with stage IV indicating distant metastasis | Early Stage, Advanced Stage |
Specifications on cancer stages | 51 Patients with untreated inoperable bronchopulmonary carcinomas of various entities:
Enzyme-arm: stage II = 5; stage III = 6; stage IV = 15 Control-arm: stage II = 3; stage III = 6; stage IV = 16 |
Comorbidities | Concomitant diseases in 51 patients in enzyme-arm (E) and control-arm (C):
Cardiopathy (temporarily decompensated): E = 5; C = 3 Inactive tuberculosis: E = 0; C = 1 Chronic duodenal ulcer: E = 1; C = 0 Renal cysts on both sides: E = 1; C = 0 Emphysema bronchitis: E = 1; C = 1 Diabetes mellitus: E = 1; C = 0 Alcoholic epilepsy: E = 0; C = 1 Previous carcinoma of another organ: E = 2; C = 2 |
Current cancer therapies | Chemotherapy |
Specifications on cancer therapies | Patients with untreated inoperable bronchopulmonary carcinomas of various entities; 4 out of 51 patients had previously undergone surgery or radiotherapy for carcinoma in another organ |
Previous cancer therapies | No therapy, Surgery, Radiation therapy |
Gender | Mixed |
Gender specifications | Gender per arm:
Enzyme-arm: male = 23 (84.6%); female = 2(15.4%) Control-arm: male = 22(92%); female = 4(8%) |
Age groups | Adults (18+) |
Age groups specification | Age groups per arm (n)
Enzyme-arm: 41-50 = 1; 51-60 = 2; 61-70 = 10; 71-80 = 12 Control-arm: 41-50 = 0; 51-60 = 3; 61-70 = 11; 71-80 = 12 |
Arms
Arm type Active control: group receives active treatment; </br>Passive control: for example treatment as usual, waiting control, no treatment | Intervention |
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Number of participants (arm) N randomized | 25 |
Drop-out Number of participants who left the study for any reason or did not provide information on every data collection date | NI |
Drop-out reasons | NI |
Intervention | Enzyme |
Dosage and regime | 2x daily Wobe Mugos microclysms, 5g each, for 1 to 4 weeks (average 2 weeks) and further outpatient treatment with dragees
+ all patients: Poly-chemotherapy (Fluoro-Uracil, Vinblastin, Metothrexat, Cyclophosphamid) |
One-time application | No |
Duration in days For long-term interventions, the number of days is an estimation.</br>A value of -999 indicates that the exact duration cannot be extracted from the study due to ambiguous or incomplete information. See Outcome timeline or Dosage and regime for further information. | 14 |
Side effects / Interactions | Treatment with Wobe Mugos E:
Tolerance of microclysms (67 patients in the evaluation): 87.3% of patients with good tolerance, 4 patients with sphincter weakness and limited ability to administer, 12.7% of patients with discontinuation due to gastrointestinal side effects Tolerance of dragées (58 patients in the evaluation): 71.4% of patients with good tolerance, 28.6% of patients with discontinuation; in 27% of patients, intake could not be assessed due to unauthorised discontinuation or incorrect information Tolerance of local intrapleural application (33 patients in the evaluation): 96.9% of patients with good tolerance, 3.1% of patients with discontinuation |
Arm type Active control: group receives active treatment; </br>Passive control: for example treatment as usual, waiting control, no treatment | Passive control |
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Number of participants (arm) N randomized | 26 |
Drop-out Number of participants who left the study for any reason or did not provide information on every data collection date | NI |
Drop-out reasons | NI |
Intervention | No additional medication |
Dosage and regime | + All patients: Poly-chemotherapy (Fluoro-Uracil, Vinblastin, Metothrexat, Cyclophosphamid) |
One-time application | No |
Duration in days For long-term interventions, the number of days is an estimation.</br>A value of -999 indicates that the exact duration cannot be extracted from the study due to ambiguous or incomplete information. See Outcome timeline or Dosage and regime for further information. | 14 |
Side effects / Interactions | NI |
Outcomes
"Tolerability" is not in the list (Anorexia/Cachexia, Anxiety, Appetite, Cerebral oedema, Cognitive functioning, Cognitive impairment, Depression, Dermatitis, Distress, Dysgeusia, ...) of allowed values for the "Outcome name" property.
"Therapy success" is not in the list (Anorexia/Cachexia, Anxiety, Appetite, Cerebral oedema, Cognitive functioning, Cognitive impairment, Depression, Dermatitis, Distress, Dysgeusia, ...) of allowed values for the "Outcome name" property.
Tumor response
Outcome type As specificed by the authors | Primary |
---|---|
Outcome specification | Interaction with cancer treatment
Tolerance of cytostatic therapy/survival time (reference date 30 September 1977) regarding side effects and the infusions administered |
Type of measurement | Observation |
Results during intervention - Results during intervention means that the time of data collection is during or shortly after the period of the intervention (e.g. on the last day or a few days after). The results therefore still relate to the direct effects of the intervention.</br>- Results after intervention means there is a longer break between the time of data collection and the end of the intervention, e.g. more than a week. The results relate more to long-term effects.</br>- If a categorization in Results during vs. after intervention is not possible (e.g. survival data), the results are summarized under Results after intervention under the headline "Overall". | NI |
Results after intervention - Results during intervention means that the time of data collection is during or shortly after the period of the intervention (e.g. on the last day or a few days after). The results therefore still relate to the direct effects of the intervention.</br>- Results after intervention means there is a longer break between the time of data collection and the end of the intervention, e.g. more than a week. The results relate more to long-term effects.</br>- If a categorization in Results during vs. after intervention is not possible (e.g. survival data), the results are summarized under Results after intervention under the headline "Overall". | Treatment discontinuations: There were 2 treatment discontinuations in the enzyme-arm and 9 treatment discontinuations in the control-arm due to more severe side effects such as leukocyte fall, apthae of the oral mucosa or increase in the BUN value.
Patients with a survival time of more than 6 months are considered here (16 subjects): Enzyme-arm: 8 patients with an average of 11 infusions and a mean survival time of 20 months Control-arm: 8 patients with an average of 3.37 infusions and a mean survival time of 16.3 months; Distribution across all patients in both arms: Enzyme-arm = 6.88 infusions; Control-arm = 4.50 infusions |
Risk of Bias Assessment: Cochrane RoB tool 2.0 | |
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Bias arising from the randomization process | ? |
Bias due to deviation from intended intervention (assignment to intervention) | ? |
Bias due to deviation from intended intervention (adhering to intervention) | NA |
Bias due to missing outcome data | ? |
Bias in measurement of the outcome | ? |
Bias in selection of the reported result | ? |
Other sources of bias | ? |
Overall RoB judgment | ? |
Tumor response
Outcome type As specificed by the authors | Primary |
---|---|
Outcome specification | Treatment success
Based on the radiological findings and quality of life (improved if general condition increased and radiological findings remain the same or improved) |
Type of measurement | Observation |
Results during intervention - Results during intervention means that the time of data collection is during or shortly after the period of the intervention (e.g. on the last day or a few days after). The results therefore still relate to the direct effects of the intervention.</br>- Results after intervention means there is a longer break between the time of data collection and the end of the intervention, e.g. more than a week. The results relate more to long-term effects.</br>- If a categorization in Results during vs. after intervention is not possible (e.g. survival data), the results are summarized under Results after intervention under the headline "Overall". | NI |
Results after intervention - Results during intervention means that the time of data collection is during or shortly after the period of the intervention (e.g. on the last day or a few days after). The results therefore still relate to the direct effects of the intervention.</br>- Results after intervention means there is a longer break between the time of data collection and the end of the intervention, e.g. more than a week. The results relate more to long-term effects.</br>- If a categorization in Results during vs. after intervention is not possible (e.g. survival data), the results are summarized under Results after intervention under the headline "Overall". | Enzyme-arm: 68% improvement compared to control-arm: 57.69% improvement |
Risk of Bias Assessment: Cochrane RoB tool 2.0 | |
---|---|
Bias arising from the randomization process | ? |
Bias due to deviation from intended intervention (assignment to intervention) | ? |
Bias due to deviation from intended intervention (adhering to intervention) | NA |
Bias due to missing outcome data | ? |
Bias in measurement of the outcome | ? |
Bias in selection of the reported result | ? |
Other sources of bias | ? |
Overall RoB judgment | ? |
Quality of life
Outcome type As specificed by the authors | Primary |
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Outcome specification | Vitagramm: 4 qualities of life:
1. employable or able to work, free of complaints 2. care-free, only minor complaints 3. in need of care, more severe symptoms 4. bedridden and/or very severe discomfort |
Type of measurement | Scale |
Results during intervention - Results during intervention means that the time of data collection is during or shortly after the period of the intervention (e.g. on the last day or a few days after). The results therefore still relate to the direct effects of the intervention.</br>- Results after intervention means there is a longer break between the time of data collection and the end of the intervention, e.g. more than a week. The results relate more to long-term effects.</br>- If a categorization in Results during vs. after intervention is not possible (e.g. survival data), the results are summarized under Results after intervention under the headline "Overall". | NI |
Results after intervention - Results during intervention means that the time of data collection is during or shortly after the period of the intervention (e.g. on the last day or a few days after). The results therefore still relate to the direct effects of the intervention.</br>- Results after intervention means there is a longer break between the time of data collection and the end of the intervention, e.g. more than a week. The results relate more to long-term effects.</br>- If a categorization in Results during vs. after intervention is not possible (e.g. survival data), the results are summarized under Results after intervention under the headline "Overall". | In patients with survival > 6 months, more patients with better quality of life in enzyme-arm (n=8) compared to control-arm (n=8): (Class I, II enzyme-arm: 81.9% vs. control-arm: 73.3%); similar quality of life in patients with < 6 months survival |
Risk of Bias Assessment: Cochrane RoB tool 2.0 | |
---|---|
Bias arising from the randomization process | ? |
Bias due to deviation from intended intervention (assignment to intervention) | ? |
Bias due to deviation from intended intervention (adhering to intervention) | NA |
Bias due to missing outcome data | ? |
Bias in measurement of the outcome | ? |
Bias in selection of the reported result | ? |
Other sources of bias | ? |
Overall RoB judgment | ? |
Funding and Conflicts of Interest
Funding | NI |
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Conflicts of Interest | NI |
Further points for assessing the study
Sample
Power analysis performed | ? |
---|---|
- Sample size corresponds to power analysis | ? |
- Reasons for insufficient sample size based on power analysis | ? |
If no power analysis performed: at least moderate sample size (n >= 30 per arm) | ? |
Ethnicity mentioned | ? |
Alternative Explanation
Other explanations for an effect besides the investigated intervention | ? |
---|---|
- Possibility of attention effects | ? |
- Possibility of placebo effects | ? |
- Other reasons | ? |
Statistics
Correct use of parametric and non-parametric tests Testing for normal distribution only necessary if parametric tests are used, NI: use of parametric tests without report of normal distribution testing | ? |
---|---|
Correction for multiple testing | ? |
Measurement of compliance | ? |
Consistent reporting in numbers (figures, flowchart, abstract, results) | ? |
Comprehensive and coherent reporting | ? |
Cross-over | ? |
- Sufficient washout period | ? |
- Tested for carry-over effects | ? |
- Tested for sequence effects | ? |
Interpretation of results
Effect sizes reported (clinical vs. statistical significance) | ? |
---|---|
Side effects systematically recorded | ? |
Side effects considered in result interpretation | ? |
Ethics votum | ? |
Additional Notes
PRO: - CONTRA:
- Results almost unusable, no baseline values, graphs barely legible, many different cancer entities despite small sample, monocentric? etc.
- Only 16 patients in the evaluation of treatment success (even if this was unavoidable due to deaths)
- No statistical group comparisons carried out
- No information on the ethics vote