Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42116164›Full record

SynthesisRadiation oncology (London, England)2026

Stereotactic body radiation therapy for ultra-central lung malignancies: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Hai Zeng, Xiaofeng Wang, Hui Bai, Wei-Jia Zhang, Jun Cai, Wenli Chen, Yi Qin, Jun Zhang, Yunxiang Qi, Churong Li and 1 more

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

Synthesis in Radiation oncology (London, England), 2026. 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

11 authors.

Hai Zeng *Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, 434000, P. R. China.
Xiaofeng Wang *Department of Radiation Oncology, Radiation Oncology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.
Hui Bai *Department of Radiology, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Center, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Wei-Jia Zhang *Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, 434000, P. R. China.
Jun CaiDepartment of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, 434000, P. R. China.
Wenli ChenDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Radiation Oncology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.
Yi QinDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Radiation Oncology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.
Jun ZhangDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Radiation Oncology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. zhangjun@scszlyy.org.cn.
Yunxiang QiDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Radiation Oncology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. q_yx416@126.com.
Churong LiDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Radiation Oncology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. lichurong@scszlyy.org.cn.
Yan-Ling WuDepartment of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital and Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518116, China. wuyl1202@163.com.

Funding

Shenzhen Medical Research Fund C2401003
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeStereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is a highly effective and well-tolerated treatment modality for peripherally located early-stage non-small cell lung cancer as well as pulmonary metastases. However, its feasibility and safety remain uncertain in patients with ultra-central (UC) lung tumors. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SBRT in the management of UC lung malignancies.

methodsA systematic review of the available literature was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, incorporating studies that reported both treatment-related side effects and therapeutic efficacy associated with SBRT for UC lung malignancies. Patient characteristics, prescription doses, local control (LC), overall survival (OS), and side effects information were extracted. Clinical outcomes were analyzed using the random-effects model. Meta-regression was conducted to determine the effect of various covariates on LC and OS outcomes.

resultsTwenty-three articles with a total of 1,105 patients were included. Pooled 1- and 2-year LC rates were 93% (95% CI: 88-96%) and 84% (95% CI: 77-89%), respectively. Meta-regression demonstrated a significantly positive association between BED

conclusionThis meta-analysis demonstrates that SBRT achieves favorable LC rates and is a relatively safe treatment for UC lung malignancies. Although the pooled rate of grade 5 side effects, at 2%, was within an acceptable range, vigilance remains essential. Further prospective research is warranted to verify our conclusions.

Indexed as

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell LungLung NeoplasmsRadiosurgeryHumansEfficacyLung malignanciesSafetySBRTUltra-central

Identifiers

PMID42116164
PMCPMC13277070

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.