Precision thoracic radiotherapy in limited-stage small cell lung cancer: a network meta-analysis / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of precision thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) in the limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) patients by network meta-analysis.Methods:Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of TRT regimes in the LS-SCLC were electronically searched from PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, CNKI and Wanfang Data from inception to September 1 st, 2021. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Statistical analysis was performed by Stata 17 and R 4.1.1 software. Results:A total of 6 RCTs involving 1730 patients with six radiation regimens including hyperfractionated radiotherapy (HFRT): HFRT 45(45 Gy/30 F) and HFRT 60(60 Gy/40 F); conventional fractionated radiotherapy (CFRT): CFRT 70(70 Gy/35 F) and CFRT 66(66 Gy/33 F); moderately hypofractionated radiotherapy (MHFRT): MHFRT 65(65 Gy/26 F) and MHFRT 42(42 Gy/15 F) were included. The network meta-analysis showed that: in terms of improving progression-free survival and overall survival, there was no statistically significant difference among the six radiotherapy regimens. The probabilistic ranking results were: MHFRT 65> HFRT 60>CFRT 66>CFRT 70>MHFRT 42>HFRT 45, and HFRT 60>MHFRT 65>CFRT 66>CFRT 70>HFRT 45>MHFRT 42, respectively. The HFRT 60 regimen was superior to other regimens in reducing the incidence of grade ≥3 pneumonia, and there was no difference between the regimens in causing grade ≥3 radiation esophagitis, and the results of ranking probability were: HFRT 60> MHFRT 42>CFRT 66>CFRT 70>HFRT 45>MHFRT 65, and HFRT 60>CFRT 70>CFRT 66>HFRT 45>MHFRT 42>MHFRT 65, respectively. Conclusions:HFRT 60 radiotherapy regimen may be more effective and safer in the treatment of LS-SCLC patients as a priority choice for LS-SCLC TRT. Limited by the number and quality of included studies, the above conclusions need to be verified by more high-quality studies.