Table 2 Factors associated with significant difference favouring experimental treatment*{dagger}


Independent variable{ddagger}

Adjusted odds ratio (95% CI)

P value

End point:





Overall survival

Reference



Other time to event

4.7 (1.8 to 12.7)

0.008

Response rate

2.8 (0.8 to 9.5)



Data protocol closed to recruitment:





1981-5

Reference



1986-90

4.4 (1.6 to 12.1)

0.009

1991-5

1.7 (0.5 to 5.5)



Type of malignancy:





Advanced solid tumour

Reference



Haematological

1.9 (0.7 to 5.0)

0.015

Locoregional solid tumour

5.8 (1.8 to 19.0)



* Results of logistic regression model evaluating attributes of randomisations in which compared with control arm, experimental arm met statistical criteria for superiority defined in protocol.

{dagger} Some randomisations report more than one two way comparison of experimental to control arm. Model therefore uses clustering by randomisation to adjust for lack of independence within randomisations.

{ddagger} Use of placebo/observation control and number of patients per arm were not associated with significant difference in favour of experimental arm.




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