SynthesisBMC gastroenterology2025
Efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab in advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in BMC gastroenterology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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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.
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.
Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Pooled it
- The efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab in the treatment of HER2-negative advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of emerging clinical data.Frontiers in immunology · 2026Pooled it
- Comparative efficacy and safety of distinct PD-1 antibodies in unresectable advanced or recurrent gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.BMC gastroenterology · 2025Pooled it
- Identification and validation of RAS signaling-related genes for prognostic prediction and immunological characterization in gastric cancer.Translational cancer research · 2025Article
- Beyond monoclonal antibodies: constraints and the case for alternative PD-1/PD-L1-targeting formats.Frontiers in immunology · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundPembrolizumab, a PD-1 inhibitor, has shown potential for treating advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer. This meta-analysis evaluates its efficacy and safety, alone or combined with chemotherapy, in this population.
methodsA systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Databases including PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science were searched up to October 31, 2024. Twelve studies comprising 4,069 patients were included. The primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS); secondary outcomes included objective response rate (ORR), adverse events (AEs), and grade ≥ 3 AEs. Effect sizes were calculated using mean differences (MDs) and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
resultsPembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy significantly improved OS (MD = 1.92 months; 95% CI: 0.94 to 2.91) and ORR (MD = 11.05%; 95% CI: 6.29 to 15.82) compared to chemotherapy alone. Pembrolizumab monotherapy did not show a significant effect on OS (MD = 0.24 months; 95% CI: -1.15 to 1.63) and was associated with a significant reduction in PFS (MD = -2.28 months; 95% CI: -2.85 to -1.71) compared to chemotherapy alone. For safety, pembrolizumab monotherapy significantly reduced the risk of AEs (OR = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.57 to 0.81) and grade ≥ 3 AEs (OR = 0.39; 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.51) compared to chemotherapy. Pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy did not significantly alter the risk of AEs (OR = 1.01; 95% CI: 0.90 to 1.13) or grade ≥ 3 AEs (OR = 1.12; 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.27) compared to chemotherapy alone.
conclusionPembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy improves survival and response rates with a manageable safety profile in advanced gastric and GEJ cancers. Monotherapy shows limited efficacy, highlighting the need for combination strategies and patient selection.
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