Appendix 1. MEDLINE search strategy

1   exp Trophoblastic Neoplasms/
2   invasive mole*.mp.
3   hydat* mole*.mp.
4   choriocarcinoma*.mp.
5   (gestational trophoblastic and (tumo* or disease* or neoplas*)).mp.
6   persistent trophoblastic disease*.mp.
7   1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6
8   drug therapy.fs.
9   exp Antineoplastic Agents/
10 exp Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/
11 chemo*.mp.
12 antineoplastic agent*.mp.
13 methotrexate.mp.
14 dactinomycin.mp.
15 etoposide.mp.
16 cyclophosphamide.mp.
17 cisplatin.mp.
18 vincristine.mp.
19 chlorambucil.mp.
20 doxorubicin.mp.
21 melphalan.mp.
22 hydroxyurea.mp.
23 CHAMOCA.mp.
24 EMA‐CO.mp.
25 MAC.mp.
26 EMA.mp.
27 VPB.mp.
28 EMACE.mp.
29 (5‐fluorouracil or 5‐fu).mp.
30 EPEMA.mp.
31 BEP.mp.
32 ICE.mp.
33 Ifosfamide.mp.
34 TP‐TE.mp.
35 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 or 12 or 13 or 14 or 15 or 16 or 17 or 18 or 19 or 20 or 21 or 22 or 23 or 24 or 25 or 26 or 27 or 28 or 29 or 30 or 31 or 32 or 33 or 34
36 randomized controlled trial.pt.
37 controlled clinical trial.pt.
38 randomized.ab.
39 placebo.ab.
40 drug therapy.fs.
41 randomly.ab.
42 trial.ab.
43 groups.ab.
44 36 or 37 or 38 or 39 or 40 or 41 or 42 or 43
45 7 and 35 and 44
46 (animals not (humans and animals)).sh.
47 45 not 46

key:

mp=title, original title, abstract, name of substance word, subject heading word, unique identifier
pt=publication type
ab=abstract
sh=subject heading