Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42554774›Full record

SynthesisLung2026

Comparison Between EGFR-TKI Efficacy in Early-Stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Bingxue Wang, Yang Yao, Zhangxuan Chen, Ranpu Wu, Jiajie Sun, Xinjing Li, Xuanhao Xu, Yunxiao Si, Hongbing Liu

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-AnalysisComparative Study
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Lung, 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

9 authors.

Bingxue WangDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital,Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
Yang YaoDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital,Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
Zhangxuan ChenDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital,Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
Ranpu WuDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine,Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
Jiajie SunDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Clinical Medical College,Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
Xinjing LiJinling Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
Xuanhao XuDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Clinical Medical College,Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
Yunxiao SiDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Clinical Medical College,Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
Hongbing LiuDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital,Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China. netlhb@126.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundEpidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are the standard of care for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, their comparative efficacy and safety profile in early-stage versus advanced-stage disease remains systematically unexplored.

methodsWe performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science through January 4, 2025. Included studies reported objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), or treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) for EGFR-TKI monotherapy. Pooled estimates were synthesized using a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM).

resultsForty-two studies comprising 46 treatment groups and 3713 patients (343 early-stage; 3370 advanced-stage) were included. EFFICACY: The pooled ORR was significantly higher in advanced-stage NSCLC (0.59, 95% CI 0.51-0.67) than in early-stage disease (0.36, 95% CI 0.15-0.63). In contrast, early-stage disease achieved a higher DCR (0.95 vs. 0.89). SAFETY: Early-stage patients experienced a significantly lower incidence of Grade ≥3 TRAEs compared to those with advanced disease (8.0% vs. 21%).

conclusionEGFR-TKIs provide superior tumor shrinkage (ORR) in advanced NSCLC, the reasons remain uncertain, whereas early-stage disease achieves better disease stability (DCR) with significantly enhanced tolerability. These findings suggest that stage-specific strategies-potentially combining TKIs with other modalities in early stages-are necessary to optimize clinical outcomes.

Indexed as

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell LungLung NeoplasmsProtein Kinase InhibitorsErbB ReceptorsHumansNeoplasm StagingTreatment OutcomeEGFR protein, humanErbB ReceptorsProtein Kinase InhibitorsAdvanced-stageEarly-stageEfficacyEGFR-TKIMeta-analysisNon-small cell lung cancerSafety

Identifiers

PMID42554774

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

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.