Unconventional therapies and cancer

We would like to assure them that the reviewers (including one of us), as well as the Management Committee of the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative (CBCRI), which commissioned the original reviews, are very aware of the importance of well-designed randomized controlled trials in generating...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inCanadian Medical Association journal (CMAJ) Vol. 161; no. 6; pp. 686 - 687
Main Authors Bégin, M, Kaegi, E
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Canada CMA Impact, Inc 21.09.1999
Subjects
Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology
Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use
Breast cancer
Cancer
Complementary Therapies
Drugs
Humans
Hydrazines - pharmacology
Hydrazines - therapeutic use
Letters
Neoplasms - therapy
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Research Design
Testing
Therapy
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Summary:We would like to assure them that the reviewers (including one of us), as well as the Management Committee of the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative (CBCRI), which commissioned the original reviews, are very aware of the importance of well-designed randomized controlled trials in generating reliable and generalizable research findings. However, the use of a randomized controlled trial design does not automatically confer credibility on research findings. Equally, the publication of a study in a peer-reviewed journal may add weight to the evidence, but it does not mean that readers should suspend their own judgement about the quality of the study.2,3 Our review of the hydrazine sulfate trials raised concerns about the selection of study subjects, the application of the intervention, the presence of confounders and the analysis of the outcomes. These concerns were reinforced by our review of additional material pertaining to an investigation into the conduct of the hydrazine sulfate trials, which was being carried out by the US General Accounting Office. On the basis of that material, it was entirely reasonable to conclude that the evidence for and against the efficacy of hydrazine sulfate was uncertain.4 5. Kaegi E, on behalf of the Task Force on Alternative Therapies of the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative. Unconventional therapies for cancer: 1. Essiac. CMAJ 1998;158(7):897-902.
ISSN:0820-3946
1488-2329