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Oncology Letters Jul 2024A meta-analysis of the clinical survival indicators, adverse reactions and safety of lenvatinib combined with programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors in treating liver...
A meta-analysis of the clinical survival indicators, adverse reactions and safety of lenvatinib combined with programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors in treating liver cancer was conducted, providing objective and effective evidence for clinical use. The present study is anticipated to guide the clinical application of lenvatinib. In the current meta-analysis, the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to September 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-RCTs and single-arm trial studies related to the combined treatment of lenvatinib and PD-1/PD-ligand 1 (L1) inhibitors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were included, while published and unpublished literature on other study types, literature with incomplete or inadequate information, animal experiments, literature reviews and systematic studies were excluded. Data were processed using STATA 15.1. The pooled results showed that the objective response rate [ORR; odds ratio (OR), 3.36; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.13-5.30; P<0.001], disease control rate (DCR; OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.03-2.57; P=0.038) and partial response (PR; OR, 3.81; 95% CI, 2.17-6.70; P<0.001) of combined lenvatinib and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor therapy were significantly higher than those of lenvatinib monotherapy. Additionally, subgroup analysis results showed that the DCR of combination therapy using lenvatinib and nivolumab was significantly higher than that of lenvatinib monotherapy (OR, 2.20; 95% CI; 1.07-4.51; P=0.032). The difference between combination therapy using lenvatinib and camrelizumab, and lenvatinib monotherapy was not significant. However, the complete response, stable disease, progression disease and incidence rate of adverse events between combination therapy and lenvatinib monotherapy were not significantly different. Compared with lenvatinib alone, lenvatinib combined with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors significantly improved ORR, mainly PR, and DCR in patients with HCC. At present, lenvatinib is mainly combined with nivolumab to increase the DCR of lenvatinib monotherapy for HCC. In addition, the incidence rate of adverse reactions between combination therapy and lenvatinib monotherapy was not significantly different for HCC.
PubMed: 38803443
DOI: 10.3892/ol.2024.14445 -
The Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology... Sep 2023Several cancers have been associated with poor prognoses based on nestin, a confirmed marker of cancer stem cells. However, there is conflicting evidence regarding the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND/AIMS
Several cancers have been associated with poor prognoses based on nestin, a confirmed marker of cancer stem cells. However, there is conflicting evidence regarding the prognostic value of tumor nestin expression in patients with digestive tract cancers. An investigation of the association between nestin and survival in patients with digestive tract cancers was performed in this meta-analysis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Meta-analyses were conducted using PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases to search for cohort studies. We analyzed the data using a random-effects model that incorporates differences between studies.
RESULTS
The pooled analysis showed a negative association between nestin expression and overall survival (hazard ratio: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.11 to 1.72, P = .004, I2 = 68%) and disease-free survival (hazard ratio: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.12 to 1.96, P = .005, I2 = 56%). Subgroup analysis showed that nestin expression was associated with poorer overall survival in gastric cancer (hazard ratio: 1.46, P < .001) and liver cancer (hazard ratio: 2.05, P < .001) patients, but not in colorectal cancer (hazard ratio: 1.03, P = .89) or pancreatic cancer (hazard ratio: 0.96, P = .80) patients. Further subgroup analysis showed a consistent association between nestin expression and poor overall survival in Asian and non-Asian studies, and in studies with univariate and multivariate regression models.
CONCLUSION
To sum up, the presence of high nestin expression in digestive tract cancer patients is associated with poorer survival, particularly in patients with gastric and liver cancers.
Topics: Humans; Nestin; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Prognosis; Stomach Neoplasms; Liver Neoplasms; Biomarkers, Tumor
PubMed: 37485559
DOI: 10.5152/tjg.2023.22485 -
Indian Journal of Palliative Care 2023The management of chronic pain among patients with abdominal cancer is complex; against that, the neurolysis of the celiac plexus (CPN) is the best technique at the...
Efficacy and Safety of Celiac Plexus Neurolysis in the Treatment of Chronic Pain Secondary to Oncological Pathology of the Upper Hemiabdomen: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
OBJECTIVES
The management of chronic pain among patients with abdominal cancer is complex; against that, the neurolysis of the celiac plexus (CPN) is the best technique at the moment o determine the efficacy and safety in the treatment of chronic pain secondary to oncological pathology of the upper abdomen.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
This was a systematic review of controlled clinical trials between 2000 and 2021, in the sources MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Three independent evaluators analysed the results of the bibliographical research. The quality of the studies was assessed with the Jadad scale and the mean difference (95% confidence interval) and heterogeneity of the studies (I2) were calculated with Review Manager 5.3.
RESULTS
Seven hundred and forty-four publications were identified, including 13 studies in the qualitative synthesis and three studies in the quantitative synthesis. No difference was found in the decrease in pain intensity between 1 and 12 weeks after the intervention, comparing the experimental group with the control ( > 0.05). The adverse effects related to neurolysis were not serious and transitory, mentioning the most frequent adverse effects and reporting a percentage between 21% and 67% (with 17% for echoendoscopic neurolysis and 49% for percutaneous neurolysis).
CONCLUSION
Celiac plexus neurolysis for the treatment of severe chronic pain secondary to oncological pathology in the upper hemiabdomen produces similar pain relief as conventional pharmacological analgesic treatment. It is a safe analgesic technique since the complications are mild and transitory.
PubMed: 38058484
DOI: 10.25259/IJPC_203_2022 -
Journal of Minimal Access Surgery 2023The purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) smaller than 5 cm using microwave ablation (MWA)... (Review)
Review
The purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) smaller than 5 cm using microwave ablation (MWA) versus radiofrequency ablation (RFA). PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase databases were searched for studies reporting comparisons of two interventions (MWA versus RFA) for patients with early-stage HCC published up to 31 December, 2022. The analysis evaluated the recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS) and complications. A total of 894 patients were enrolled in six studies (two randomised controlled trials and four propensity score cohort studies). There were 446 patients in the MWA group and 448 patients in the RFA group. Compared with RFA, MWA had a significant advantage in the post-operative 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year RFS (odds ratios [OR] = 0.58, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.40, 0.84; OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.45, 0.80; OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.33, 0.93; and OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.30, 0.65). The OS of MWA was significantly higher than that of RFA in 5 years after ablation (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.34, 0.68). Moreover, MWA had an advantage in the incidence of complications (OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.16, 4.29). In the comparison of percutaneous MWA and RFA in the treatment of HCC with a diameter smaller than 5 cm, MWA may have more advantages in improving the prognosis.
PubMed: 37706417
DOI: 10.4103/jmas.jmas_344_22 -
PloS One 2024The association between red meat, fish, and processed meat consumption and the risk of developing gastrointestinal (GI) cancers remains inconclusive despite several... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The association between major gastrointestinal cancers and red and processed meat and fish consumption: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the observational studies.
BACKGROUND
The association between red meat, fish, and processed meat consumption and the risk of developing gastrointestinal (GI) cancers remains inconclusive despite several investigations. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies to update the existing scientific evidence.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases until May 20, 2023. We analyzed observational studies that examined the associations between red and processed meat and fish consumption and GI cancers. We assessed between-study heterogeneity using the χ2 and τ2 tests, as well as I2 statistics. We explored the likelihood of publication bias using Begg's and Egger's tests and trim-and-fill analysis. We reported the overall effect sizes as odds ratios (ORs) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) using a random-effects model.
RESULTS
Of the 21,004 studies identified, 95 studies involving 5,794,219 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The consumption of high levels of red meat, as compared to low levels, was found to significantly increase the risk of developing esophageal, pancreatic, liver, colon, rectal, and colorectal cancers. Similarly, the consumption of high levels of processed meat, as compared to low levels, significantly increased the risk of pancreatic, colon, rectal, and colorectal cancers. In contrast, the consumption of high levels of fish, as compared to low levels, significantly reduced the risk of colon, rectal, and colorectal cancers.
CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis provides updated evidence on the association between red meat, processed meat, and fish consumption and the risk of developing five major types of GI cancers.
Topics: Humans; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Red Meat; Animals; Observational Studies as Topic; Fishes; Meat Products; Risk Factors; Meat; Seafood; Diet
PubMed: 38924054
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305994 -
European Radiology May 2024To determine the role of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for predicting response to neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) in pancreatic cancer. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
To determine the role of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for predicting response to neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) in pancreatic cancer.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for studies evaluating the performance of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) to assess response to NAT. Data extracted included ADC pre- and post-NAT, for predicting response as defined by imaging, histopathology, or clinical reference standards. ADC values were compared with standardized mean differences. Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Studies (QUADAS-2).
RESULTS
Of 337 studies, 7 were included in the analysis (161 patients). ADC values reported for the pre- and post-NAT assessments overlapped between responders and non-responders. One study reported inability of ADC increase after NAT for distinguishing responders and non-responders. A correlation with histopathological response was reported for pre- and post-NAT ADC in 4 studies. DWI's diagnostic performance was reported to be high in three studies, with a 91.6-100% sensitivity and 62.5-94.7% specificity. Finally, heterogeneity and high risk of bias were identified across studies, affecting the domains of patient selection, index test, reference standard, and flow and timing.
CONCLUSION
DWI might be useful for determining response to NAT in pancreatic cancer. However, there are still too few studies on this matter, which are also heterogeneous and at high risk for bias. Further studies with standardized procedures for data acquisition and accurate reference standards are needed.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT
Diffusion-weighted MRI might be useful for assessing response to neoadjuvant therapy in pancreatic cancer. However, further studies with robust data are needed to provide specific recommendations for clinical practice.
KEY POINTS
•The role of DWI with ADC measurements for assessing response to neoadjuvant therapy in pancreatic cancer is still unclear. •Pre- and post-neoadjuvant therapy ADC values overlap between responders and non-responders. •DWI has a reported high diagnostic performance for determining response when using histopathological or clinical reference standards; however, studies are still few and at high risk for bias.
Topics: Humans; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Treatment Outcome; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 37907761
DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-10381-0 -
Annals of Surgical Oncology Jul 2024Standard lymphadenectomy for pancreatoduodenectomy is defined for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and adopted for patients with non-pancreatic periampullary cancer...
Differences in Lymph Node Metastases Patterns Among Non-pancreatic Periampullary Cancers and Histologic Subtypes: An International Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study and Systematic Review.
BACKGROUND
Standard lymphadenectomy for pancreatoduodenectomy is defined for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and adopted for patients with non-pancreatic periampullary cancer (NPPC), ampullary adenocarcinoma (AAC), distal cholangiocarcinoma (dCCA), or duodenal adenocarcinoma (DAC). This study aimed to compare the patterns of lymph node metastases among the different NPPCs in a large series and in a systematic review to guide the discussion on surgical lymphadenectomy and pathology assessment.
METHODS
This retrospective cohort study included patients after pancreatoduodenectomy for NPPC with at least one lymph node metastasis (2010-2021) from 24 centers in nine countries. The primary outcome was identification of lymph node stations affected in case of a lymph node metastasis per NPPC. A separate systematic review included studies on lymph node metastases patterns of AAC, dCCA, and DAC.
RESULTS
The study included 2367 patients, of whom 1535 had AAC, 616 had dCCA, and 216 had DAC. More patients with pancreatobiliary type AAC had one or more lymph node metastasis (67.2% vs 44.8%; P < 0.001) compared with intestinal-type, but no differences in metastasis pattern were observed. Stations 13 and 17 were most frequently involved (95%, 94%, and 90%). Whereas dCCA metastasized more frequently to station 12 (13.0% vs 6.4% and 7.0%, P = 0.005), DAC metastasized more frequently to stations 6 (5.0% vs 0% and 2.7%; P < 0.001) and 14 (17.0% vs 8.4% and 11.7%, P = 0.015).
CONCLUSION
This study is the first to comprehensively demonstrate the differences and similarities in lymph node metastases spread among NPPCs, to identify the existing research gaps, and to underscore the importance of standardized lymphadenectomy and pathologic assessment for AAC, dCCA, and DAC.
Topics: Humans; Lymphatic Metastasis; Retrospective Studies; Ampulla of Vater; Pancreaticoduodenectomy; Common Bile Duct Neoplasms; Duodenal Neoplasms; Male; Female; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Adenocarcinoma; Lymph Node Excision; Cholangiocarcinoma; Aged; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Follow-Up Studies; Lymph Nodes; Bile Duct Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal
PubMed: 38602578
DOI: 10.1245/s10434-024-15213-z -
Nutrition Journal Feb 2024The nutritional evaluation of pancreatic cancer (PC) patients lacks a gold standard or scientific consensus, we aimed to summarize and systematically evaluate the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUNDS & AIMS
The nutritional evaluation of pancreatic cancer (PC) patients lacks a gold standard or scientific consensus, we aimed to summarize and systematically evaluate the prognostic value of nutritional screening and assessment tools used for PC patients.
METHODS
Relevant studies were retrieved from major databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library) and searched from January 2010 to December 2023. We performed meta-analyses with STATA 14.0 when three or more studies used the same tool.
RESULTS
This analysis included 27 articles involving 6,060 PC patients. According to a meta-analysis of these studies, poor nutritional status evaluated using five nutritional screening tools Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), Controlling Nutritional Status Score (CONUT), Nutrition Risk Screening (NRS2002) and Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) was associated with all-cause mortality in PC patients. But Modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) did not. Of all tools analyzed, CONUT had the maximum HR for mortality (HR = 1.978, 95%CI 1.345-2.907, P = 0.001).
CONCLUSION
All-cause mortality in PC patients was predicted by poor nutritional status. CONUT may be the best nutritional assessment tool for PC patients. The clinical application value of Short Form Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF), Generated Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) and Patient-generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) in PC patients need to be confirmed. In order to improve patients' nutritional status and promote their recovery, nutritional screening tools can be used.
REGISTRATION
This systematic review was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (number CRD42022376715).
Topics: Aged; Humans; Malnutrition; Nutrition Assessment; Nutritional Status; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Systematic Reviews as Topic
PubMed: 38310276
DOI: 10.1186/s12937-024-00920-w -
Journal of Cancer Research and... Apr 2024To determine the effectiveness and safety of neoadjuvant therapy in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) and provide evidence-based suggestions for... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness and safety of neoadjuvant therapy in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) and provide evidence-based suggestions for clinical treatment.
METHODS
The Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched for articles published that analyzed the effectiveness and safety of GEP-NEN-targeted neoadjuvant therapy before March 2023. A confidence interval (CI) of 95%, a subgroup analysis, heterogeneity, and effect size (ES) were analyzed, and a meta-analysis of the literature was performed using the Stata BE17 software.
RESULTS
A total of 417 patients from 13 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The primary variables comprised the objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), surgical resection rate, and R0 resection rate with ES values of 0.42 (95% CI: 0.25-0.60), 0.96 (95% CI: 0.93-0.99), 0.67 (95% CI: 0.50-0.84), and 0.60 (95% CI: 0.54-0.67), respectively. The secondary variables were the incidence rates of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs), Grade 3 or higher TRAEs, and surgical complications with ES values of 0.29 (95% CI: -0.03-0.21), 0.13 (95% CI: -0.07-0.33), and 0.35 (95% CI: 0.27-0.44), respectively.
CONCLUSION
Neoadjuvant therapy is an effective and safe treatment method for GEP-NENs. However, further studies are required to determine the optimal regimen for this therapy in these tumors.
Topics: Humans; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Stomach Neoplasms; Intestinal Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38687934
DOI: 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_1800_23 -
Annals of Surgical Oncology Jul 2024Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) has a considerable surgical risk for complications and late metabolic morbidity. Parenchyma-sparing resection of benign tumors has the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Long-Term Oncologic Outcome following Duodenum-Preserving Pancreatic Head Resection for Benign Tumors, Cystic Neoplasms, and Neuroendocrine Tumors: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) has a considerable surgical risk for complications and late metabolic morbidity. Parenchyma-sparing resection of benign tumors has the potential to cure patients associated with reduced procedure-related short- and long-term complications.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane libraries were searched for studies reporting surgery-related complications following PD and duodenum-preserving total (DPPHRt) or partial (DPPHRp) pancreatic head resection for benign tumors. A total of 38 cohort studies that included data from 1262 patients were analyzed. In total, 729 patients underwent DPPHR and 533 PD.
RESULTS
Concordance between preoperative diagnosis of benign tumors and final histopathology was 90.57% for DPPHR. Cystic and neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNETs) and periampullary tumors (PATs) were observed in 497, 89, and 31 patients, respectively. In total, 34 of 161 (21.1%) patients with intraepithelial papillar mucinous neoplasm exhibited severe dysplasia in the final histopathology. The meta-analysis, when comparing DPPHRt and PD, revealed in-hospital mortality of 1/362 (0.26%) and 8/547 (1.46%) patients, respectively [OR 0.48 (95% CI 0.15-1.58); p = 0.21], and frequency of reoperation of 3.26 % and 6.75%, respectively [OR 0.52 (95% CI 0.28-0.96); p = 0.04]. After a follow-up of 45.8 ± 26.6 months, 14/340 patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms/mucinous cystic neoplasms (IPMN/MCN, 4.11%) and 2/89 patients with PNET (2.24%) exhibited tumor recurrence. Local recurrence at the resection margin and reoccurrence of tumor growth in the remnant pancreas was comparable after DPPHR or PD [OR 0.94 (95% CI 0.178-5.34); p = 0.96].
CONCLUSIONS
DPPHR for benign, premalignant neoplasms provides a cure for patients with low risk of tumor recurrence and significantly fewer early surgery-related complications compared with PD. DPPHR has the potential to replace PD for benign, premalignant cystic and neuroendocrine neoplasms.
Topics: Humans; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Pancreaticoduodenectomy; Duodenum; Organ Sparing Treatments; Pancreatic Cyst; Postoperative Complications; Prognosis; Pancreatectomy
PubMed: 38578553
DOI: 10.1245/s10434-024-15222-y