Table 1 Baseline characteristics of eligible trials

Kulke MH

2009

USA

58

38

58.9(31 81)

58

gemcitabine 1500 mg/m² infusion 10 mg/m²/min on days 1, 8, and 15, every 28 days

62

35

58.9(36 84)

62

gemcitabine 1000 mg/m² 30-minute infusion d1, 8, and 15;Cisplatin 50 mg/m² 30-minutes infusion on days 1 and 15, every 28 days

Poplin E

2009

USA

277

160

61(36 87)

246

gemcitabine 1500 mg/m² infusion at 10 mg/m²/min days 1, 8, and 15 every 28 days cycle

275

155

64(31 88)

248

gemcitabine 1000 mg/m²/30 min weekly for 7 week, rest 1 week, then 1000 mg/m²/30 min weekly for 3 week and rest 1 week

Tempero M

2003

USA

43

27

62(42 85)

38

gemcitabine 1500 mg/m² infusion at a rate of 10 mg/m²/min, d1, 8, and 15

49

32

62(31 89)

46

gemcitabine 2200 mg/m² infusion over 30 min,d1, 8, and 15