Best-case series for the use of immuno-augmentation therapy and naltrexone for the treatment of cancer
Coulter I, Hardy M, Shekelle P
Record ID 32003000531
English
Authors' objectives:
The primary objective of this project was to create a best-case series for two complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies for treating cancer patients: immuno-augmentation therapy (IAT) and low-dose naltrexone.
Authors' results and conclusions:
For both therapies, it was extremely difficult to meet the full documentation requirements of the NCI best-case series criteria. For IAT, nine cases were found that we consider the most complete or appropriate in terms of the NCI criteria for a best-case series. For naltrexone treatments, only three cases best met the NCI criteria. These cases represent the best that we were able to assemble using the currently accepted best-case method of the NCI.
Authors' recommendations:
Assembling documentary evidence for a best-case series through retrospective case analysis for CAM therapy will seldom meet the full NCI criteria. An alternative approach might be to establish a prospective case series.
Authors' methods:
Case study
Details
Project Status:
Completed
URL for project:
http://www.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/evidence/pdf/immaug/immaug.pdf
Year Published:
2003
URL for published report:
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/immaugsum.htm
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
United States
MeSH Terms
- Complementary Therapies
- Immunotherapy
- Naltrexone
- Neoplasms
Contact
Organisation Name:
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Contact Address:
Center for Outcomes and Evidence Technology Assessment Program, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850, USA. Tel: +1 301 427 1610; Fax: +1 301 427 1639;
Contact Name:
martin.erlichman@ahrq.hhs.gov
Contact Email:
martin.erlichman@ahrq.hhs.gov
Copyright:
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.