Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39355241›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in immunology2024

Evaluation of the effectiveness and safety of combining PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors with anti-angiogenic agents in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Hengzhou Zhu, Wenyue Zhao, Haoyan Chen, Xiaodan Zhu, Jianliang You, Chunhui Jin

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in immunology, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
10citing papers in PubMed, 3 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

10 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Hengzhou ZhuDepartment of Oncology, Wuxi Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi, China.
Wenyue ZhaoDepartment of Oncology, Wuxi Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi, China.
Haoyan ChenDepartment of Respiratory, Wuxi Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi, China.
Xiaodan ZhuDepartment of Oncology, Wuxi Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi, China.
Jianliang YouDepartment of Oncology, Wuxi Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi, China.
Chunhui JinDepartment of Oncology, Wuxi Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, particularly when diagnosed at an unresectable stage. Traditional treatments for advanced HCC have limited efficacy, prompting the exploration of combination therapies. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the effectiveness and safety of combining PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors with anti-angiogenic agents in patients with unresectable HCC. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Science, including studies up to June 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing combination therapy (PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors with anti-angiogenic agents) to monotherapy or standard treatments in unresectable HCC patients were included. Data were synthesized using random-effects models, with pooled hazard ratios (HRs) for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), and risk ratios (RRs) for objective response rate (ORR) and adverse events (AEs). Results: Five Phase III RCTs involving 1515 patients were included. Combination therapy significantly improved OS (HR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.60-0.85) and PFS (HR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.53-0.77) compared to monotherapy or standard treatments. The pooled OR for ORR was 1.27 (95% CI: 1.57-2.11), indicating a higher response rate with combination therapy. However, the risk of AEs was also higher in the combination therapy group (RR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.06). Subgroup analyses revealed consistent benefits across different types of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and anti-angiogenic agents, with no significant publication bias detected. Conclusions: The combination of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors with anti-angiogenic agents offers significant benefits in improving OS and PFS in patients with unresectable HCC, although it is associated with an increased risk of adverse events.

Indexed as

Angiogenesis InhibitorsAntineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy ProtocolsB7-H1 AntigenCarcinoma, HepatocellularImmune Checkpoint InhibitorsLiver NeoplasmsHumansProgrammed Cell Death 1 ReceptorRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicTreatment OutcomeAngiogenesis InhibitorsB7-H1 AntigenCD274 protein, humanImmune Checkpoint InhibitorsPDCD1 protein, humanProgrammed Cell Death 1 Receptoranti-angiogenic therapycombination therapyhepatocellular carcinomaoverall survivalPD-1 inhibitors

Identifiers

PMID39355241
PMCPMC11442381

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.