Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41803035›Full record

SynthesisCancer medicine2026

Proton Beam Therapy Versus Photon Radiotherapy for Pediatric Neuroblastoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (TRP-2025 Neuroblastoma).

Hazuki Nitta, Masashi Mizumoto, Kazushi Maruo, Yoshiko Oshiro, Yinuo Li, Masako Inaba, Takashi Saito, Sho Hosaka, Takashi Iizumi, Hiroko Fukushima and 4 more

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

Synthesis in Cancer medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

14 authors.

Hazuki NittaDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
Masashi MizumotoDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7837-1301
Kazushi MaruoDepartment of Biostatistics, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3093-0386
Yoshiko OshiroDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
Yinuo LiDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0423-2541
Masako InabaDepartment of Pediatrics, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan.
Takashi SaitoDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
Sho HosakaDepartment of Pediatrics, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan.
Takashi IizumiDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
Hiroko FukushimaDepartment of Pediatrics, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1290-3501
Ryoko SuzukiDepartment of Pediatrics, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan.
Shosei ShimizuDepartment of Pediatric Radiation Therapy Center/Pediatric Proton Beam Therapy Center, Hebei Yizhou Cancer Hospital, China.
Kei NakaiDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
Hideyuki SakuraiDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesRadiotherapy (RT) is a standard component of treatment for high-risk pediatric neuroblastoma. Proton beam therapy (PBT) offers dosimetric advantages over photon radiotherapy (XRT), but comparative clinical data remain limited.

methodsAs part of the review project at our facility, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing survival outcomes between PBT and XRT. PubMed was searched for studies published between 1990 and 2022. Eligible studies included those for pediatric patients with neuroblastoma receiving curative-intent RT and reporting overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS). A random-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression were performed.

resultsEighteen studies (6 PBT, 12 XRT) were included. The 1- and 2-year OS rates were 97.2% and 92.0% for PBT, and 89.1% and 81.3% for XRT. Corresponding PFS rates were 96.1% and 86.1% for PBT, and 78.6% and 64.5% for XRT. Meta-regression identified treatment modality as a significant factor for 2-year OS and PFS. However, variability in patient background and treatment protocols may have influenced the results. Limited toxicity data suggested low rates of grade ≥ 3 acute adverse events in both groups.

conclusionsPBT gave survival outcomes that were at least comparable to XRT in pediatric neuroblastoma. Given its potential to reduce long-term toxicity, PBT may be a reasonable alternative in selected cases. Further prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.

Indexed as

NeuroblastomaPhotonsProton TherapyChildHumansTreatment Outcomemeta‐analysisoutcomespediatric neuroblastomaphoton radiotherapyproton beam therapy

Identifiers

PMID41803035
PMCPMC12971390

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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.