Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in which different approaches to CHT and ET were compared, independently of the length of follow-up study.
Specific interventions included in the review
There were 12 specific interventions included in the review:
1. Polychemotherapy (PCHT) agents versus single agent.
2. PCHT regimens with antracycline versus PCHT without anthracycline.
3. Other PCHT versus cyclophospahamide, methotrexate, and flourouracil (CMF).
4. Chemotherapy (CHT) with epirubicin versus CHT with doxorubicin.
5. CHT versus same CHT delivered with less intensive schedules.
6. Other endocrine therapy (OET) versus tamoxifen.
7. OET plus tamoxifen versus tamoxifen alone.
8. OET versus medroxyprogesterone.
9. OET versus aromatase inhibitors.
10. OET versus megestrol.
11. Endocrine therapy (ET) versus same ET at lower doses.
12. CHT plus ET versus CHT.
Participants included in the review
Patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Tumour response rates, mortality hazards ratio (HR) (survival) and frequency of severe side effects (toxicity) were the outcome measures.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
Two people independently reviewed the trials to determine whether they met the inclusion criteria and discussed disagreements about rejection between themselves. When disagreements could not be resolved, a third independent reviewer's opinion was sought.