Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41083967›Full record

SynthesisBMC cancer2025

The efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Honglin Zhong, Zhixin Li, Yaqi Peng, Zhongfu Huang, Huihuang Li, Minfeng Chen

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC cancer, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing 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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. 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

6 authors.

Honglin ZhongDepartment of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
Zhixin LiDepartment of General Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China.
Yaqi PengDepartment of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China.
Zhongfu HuangDepartment of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
Huihuang LiDepartment of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China. lhhuang1994@163.com.
Minfeng ChenDepartment of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China. chenminfeng1999@csu.edu.cn.

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China 82170789
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND

objectivesUpper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is aggressive and rare, often treated with radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) prior to RNU is increasingly explored to improve patient outcomes. This study aimed to update evidence on the efficacy of NAT in UTUC through a systematic review and meta-analysis focusing on survival indicators and pathological response rates.

methodsA comprehensive literature search across PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science up to October 2024 identified 31 eligible studies. Of these, 26 compared NAT to RNU alone, 4 compared NAT to adjuvant therapy (AT), and 1 included comparisons to both. Outcomes included overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and pathological complete response (pCR).

resultsA total of 27 studies involving 9,195 UTUC patients showed that NAT + RNU significantly improved OS (HR = 0.46), RFS (HR = 0.56), CSS (HR = 0.45), and PFS (HR = 0.30) compared to RNU alone. The pCR rate in the NAT group was 10% versus 0% in the RNU group. Subgroup analysis showed slightly higher pCR rates in prospective than retrospective studies. Additionally, a meta-analysis of 5 studies (2,475 patients) showed that NAT did not improve OS compared to AT. However, NAT was associated with significantly better RFS, highlighting its potential in reducing recurrence.

conclusionsThis meta-analysis supports NAT as a promising preoperative strategy in UTUC, with potential survival and pathological benefits.

Indexed as

Carcinoma, Transitional CellKidney NeoplasmsNeoadjuvant TherapyUreteral NeoplasmsHumansNephroureterectomyPathologic Complete ResponseTreatment OutcomeMeta-analysisNeoadjuvant therapyPathologic responseRadical nephroureterectomySurvival outcomesUpper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma

Identifiers

PMID41083967
PMCPMC12516847

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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.