A meta-analysis of comparison of proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction and total gastrectomy for proximal early gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: In theory, proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction (PG-DT) was superior to total gastrectomy (TG) in hematologic and nutritional outcomes. However, its clinical effects in proximal early gastric cancer (EGC) have been controversial. METHODS: The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcomes of laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction (LPG-DT) for proximal EGC. For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched for articles published before December of 2018 in the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, Medline, and Cochrane Library. RESULTS: The results showed no significant difference in the anastomotic stenosis (OR = 0.91, 95%CI = 0.33-2.50, p = 0.85) and reflux esophagitis (OR = 1.87, 95%CI = 0.62-5.65, p = 0.27) between LPG-DT and laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG). The vitamin B12 supplementation rate in the LPG-DT group was lower than the LTG group (OR = 0.06, 95%Cl = 0.01-0.59, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Due to comparable clinical effect, PG-DT is comparable to TG for patients with proximal EGC. In addition, LPG-DT not only appears superior to TG in terms of preventing vitamin B12 deficiency, but also does not increase the risk of anastomotic stricture and reflux esophagitis.

The Efficacy and Safety of Additional Anti-HER2-Targeting Drugs in the Treatment of HER2-Positive Advanced Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: HER2-positive breast cancer patients account for one-fifth of the total breast cancer population. Besides, more anti-HER2-targeting drugs have appeared clinically. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of additional anti-HER2 (Human Epidermal growth Factor Receptor 2)-targeting drugs in the treatment of HER2-positive advanced breast cancers. METHODS: The following databases were searched for published articles containing data on the efficacy and safety of additional anti-HER2-targeting drugs in HER2-positive advanced breast cancer from the time of their inception until December 2019: PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library. The primary outcomes were Progression-Free Survival (PFS) and Overall Survival (OS). RESULTS: The additional anti-HER2-targeting drugs significantly improved the PFS (HR: 0.66, p<0.001) and OS (HR: 0.77, p<0.001) of HER2-positive advanced breast cancer patients. Regarding drug types, lapatinib was the most effective (HR: 0.53, 95% Cl: 0.39-0.67, p<0.001), followed by pertuzumab (HR: 0.72, 95% Cl: 0.55-0.89, p=0.001). Trastuzumab was the least beneficial (HR: 0.87, 95% Cl: 0.31-1.44, p=0.594). Concerning treatment regimen, first-line treatment (HR: 0.67, 95% Cl: 0.52-0.82, p<0.001) was more effective than non-first-line treatment (HR: 0.82, 95% Cl: 0.71-0.94, p=0.004). The main Adverse Events (AEs) observed were diarrhea and decreased ejection fraction. CONCLUSION: Additional anti-HER2-targeting drugs can improve long-term prognosis in HER2-positive advanced breast cancers. Besides, they are associated with fewer AEs and are tolerable. Lapatinib is the most effective drug, followed by pertuzumab, whereas trastuzumab is the least effective. Concerning treatment, we recommend the use of anti-HER2-targeting drugs in first-line therapy of HER2-positive advanced breast cancers.

Comparison of Long-Term Outcomes of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection and Surgery for Early Gastric Cancer: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an endoscopic alternative to surgical resection of early gastric cancer (EGC). Besides offering both diagnostic and therapeutic capability, it has the benefits of reducing post-operative complications and provides fast recovery and better quality of life compared to surgical resection of neoplastic lesions. However, due to limitations of the procedure, its long-term outcomes are rather controversial. METHODS: This study has been carried out to investigate the long-term outcomes of ESD which includes the overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and recurrence rate. The following databases were used to search for articles published until February 2018: Medline, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO. RESULTS: A total of 13 eligible studies covering 4986 patients were selected for a meta-analysis based on specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. The difference of OS and disease-specific survival (DSS) between ESD and surgical treatment was not statistically significant (RR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.68-1.19, p = 0.46; RR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.15-1.03, p = 0.06, respectively). However, DFS in the ESD group was much lower than that in the surgery group (RR = 3.40, 95% CI = 2.39-4.84, p < 0.001). In terms of the treatment after recurrence, the proportion of patients who could receive radical treatment was significantly higher in the ESD than that in the gastrectomy (OR = 5.27, 95% CI = 2.35-11.79, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis showed that ESD might be an alternative treatment option to surgery for patients with EGC in Asian countries. But a close surveillance program after ESD is of necessity, considering the higher possibility of tumor recurrence after ESD.