Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40740768›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in immunology2025

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy versus systemic chemotherapy for advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a meta-analysis of survival outcomes.

Di Zeng, Zhimeng Cheng, Geng Liu, Jiong Lu, Bei Li

Abstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in immunology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–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

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Article
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

5 authors.

Di Zeng *Division of Biliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Zhimeng Cheng *Division of Biliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Geng LiuDivision of Biliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Jiong LuDivision of Biliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Bei LiDivision of Biliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCC) is an aggressive hepatobiliary malignancy with limited therapeutic options and poor survival outcomes. Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) has emerged as a promising treatment alternative to systemic chemotherapy, but its clinical benefits require comprehensive evaluation. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted, including 10 studies with 1,493 patients. Data on overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and key prognostic factors were extracted. Pooled hazard ratios (HR) were calculated using a random-effects model. Results: HAIC significantly improved OS (HR = 0.51, p < 0.001) and PFS (HR = 0.58, p < 0.001) compared to systemic chemotherapy. Subgroup analyses revealed consistent benefits across various patient characteristics, including age, tumor stage, and baseline liver function. Patients with lower tumor burden (HR = 0.45) and ECOG performance status ≤1 (HR = 0.50) derived the greatest benefit. Additionally, patients with CA 19-9 levels <1,000 U/mL showed significantly improved OS (HR = 0.48). Conclusion: HAIC prolongs survival and improves disease control in advanced iCC patients compared to systemic chemotherapy. These findings support the adoption of HAIC as a valuable treatment strategy for selected patients, particularly those with lower tumor burden and favorable performance status. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42024615752.

Indexed as

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy ProtocolsBile Duct NeoplasmsCholangiocarcinomaHepatic ArteryHumansInfusions, Intra-ArterialPrognosisTreatment Outcomehepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC)intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC)meta-analysisprognostic factors (PF)survival outcomes

Identifiers

PMID40740768
PMCPMC12309412

What OpenQuestion holds

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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.