To investigate whether treating cancer patients with
erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) would increase the mortality risk,
Bennett et al. [Journal of the American Medical Association 299 (2008)
914--924] conducted a meta-analysis with the data from 52 phase III trials
comparing ESAs with placebo or standard of care. With a standard parametric
random effects modeling approach, the study concluded that ESA administration
was significantly associated with increased average mortality risk.