To evaluate the risk of oral mucositis in cetuximab-plus-radiotherapy compared to cisplatin-plus-radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients.

What are the cognitive, functional and affective characteristics of brain fog in individuals with long covid and following chemotherapy, and how are these features assessed across studies?

Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) are crucial in cancer immune evasion and in modulating neuroinflammation. Although PD-1/PD-L1 signaling is believed to modulate immune and neuronal responses, its role in AD pathophysiology remains unclear, with existing studies reporting inconsistent findings.

Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) is an angioproliferative tumor induced by human gammaherpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). For years, cytotoxic chemotherapy was the primary treatment for advanced KS, despite high toxicity and limited efficacy. Immunotherapy, particularly PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, has emerged as a promising option with antitumor activity and a favorable safety profile. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate its efficacy and safety in KS. A systematic search in Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science identified single-arm trials on PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in KS. Outcomes were expressed as proportions with 95% CIs, heterogeneity assessed using I ², and significance set at P <0.05. Analyses were performed in RStudio 4.4.1. Five studies with 91 patients were included. Prior treatments included chemotherapy (35.0%), radiotherapy (22.3%), and interferon (9.2%). The pooled objective response rate (ORR) was 61% (95% CI: 49-72; I ²=16%), with 17% achieving complete response (CR) (95% CI: 8-31; I ²=0%), and the disease control rate (DCR) was 91% (95% CI: 81-96; I ²=0%). The most frequent adverse events (AEs) were pruritus (42%; 95% CI: 16-73; I ²=74%), fatigue (27%; 95% CI: 8-60; I ²=67%), and arthralgia (14%; 95% CI: 5-37; I ²=60%). This meta-analysis supports the antitumor activity of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in KS. Despite high AE rates, most were clinically manageable.

Presurgical molecular therapy (PMT) including tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) showed various outcomes for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with tumor thrombus (TT). We aimed to evaluate the impact of PMT on Mayo level or TT height and the treatment-related adverse events (AEs).

Treatment of transplant-ineligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (TIE-NDMM) remains challenging due to age, frailty, and comorbidities. Anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies, particularly daratumumab, have emerged as promising additions to frontline regimens. However, the long-term outcomes of these therapies are still uncertain. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the survival outcome of anti-CD38 antibodies in TIE-NDMM patients.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of abemaciclib in combination with endocrine therapy (ET) for the treatment of Hormone Receptor/ Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HR + /HER2-) advanced or metastatic breast cancer, this systematic review and meta-analysis compared several treatment regimens and patient groups.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) improve survival in advanced cancers but are associated with immune-related adverse events (irAEs), whose prognostic impact remains debated. The role of systemic inflammatory biomarkers is also not fully defined.

Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are commonly associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. ICIs are recommended at various stages of bladder cancer treatment, and appropriate management of irAEs is important in improving long-term outcomes in bladder cancer. This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aims to assess irAEs associated with ICI therapy in bladder cancer. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Epistemonikos from inception till January 2025. The references of the included studies, clinicaltrials.gov, annual meeting abstracts of ASCO and ESMO, and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform were also searched for additional studies. Phase II or III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) where one of the experimental arms consisted of atezolizumab, pembrolizumab, nivolumab, or avelumab monotherapy were included. A Random effects model was used to conduct the meta-analysis in R Statistical Software, version 4.3.3. From the initial 1,092 articles screened, 12 were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis, comprising a total of 7,333 patients. Hypothyroidism (RR: 5.87 (3.23, 10.67)), hyperthyroidism (RR: 11.05 (4.20, 29.03)), pruritus (RR: 4.95 (2.82, 8.70)), rash (RR: 2.92 (1.51, 5.64)), colitis (RR: 2.15 (1.11, 4.15)), pneumonitis (RR: 3.91 (2.18, 7.02)), and nephritis (RR: 4.97 (1.43, 17.33)) were found to be significant irAEs associated with ICI therapy. Bladder cancer patients treated with ICIs are at significant risk of irAEs. These events vary in severity, and appropriate management of these adverse events should be prioritized to improve quality of life.

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a serious complication associated with antiresorptive and antiangiogenic therapies, particularly in oncology patients. Ozone therapy has been proposed as a supportive treatment due to its antimicrobial and tissue-regenerative properties, but its clinical efficacy remains uncertain.

Anti-angiogenic therapy, particularly small-molecule inhibitors targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), has emerged as a promising approach for treating bone and soft tissue sarcomas. This study aimed to systematically compare the efficacy and safety of different small-molecule anti-angiogenic agents in the treatment of bone and soft tissue sarcomas through a network meta-analysis (NMA).

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is effectively treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as imatinib, though drug response varies among patients. Genetic polymorphisms in drug transporter genes ABCB1 and ABCG2 influence imatinib plasma trough concentrations (Ctrough).

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the necessity of histamine-2 antagonists (H2As) in paclitaxel premedication protocols, particularly in preventing hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs). The research question addressed whether the inclusion of H2As significantly reduces the incidence of HSRs associated with paclitaxel treatment. A comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE, Cochrane and Web of Science databases was conducted to identify studies on prophylactic H2As for paclitaxel-induced HSRs up to December 2023. Studies were included based on predefined criteria, including adult patients with cancer receiving paclitaxel infusions. Quality of included studies was evaluated using the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies-of Interventions tool and results were generated through a random effects statistical model. Six studies meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the meta-analysis. The analysis revealed no statistically significant difference in the incidence of grade III or higher HSRs (risk ratio, RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.67) or all-grade HSRs (RR 1.40, 95% CI 0.82 to 2.39) between patients receiving H2As as part of their premedication protocol and those without H2A blockade. Minimal heterogeneity was observed for grade III reactions (I²=0.0%, p=0.669), while high heterogeneity was noted for all-grade reactions (I²=73.4%, p=0.002). Subgroup analysis showed minimal heterogeneity with all-grade reactions once prospective studies were excluded (I2=0.0%, p=0.689). This meta-analysis supports the safe omission of H2As, particularly ranitidine, from paclitaxel premedication protocols without compromising patient safety in terms of HSRs.

Emerging studies have investigated the association between acetaminophen (APAP) use and clinical outcomes in cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), but their findings remain inconsistent. This meta-analysis aims to systematically synthesize available evidence to clarify this relationship and provide evidence-based guidance for clinical practice.

Dizziness and balance impairments are underexplored symptoms in older adults with cancer. Age-related factors, comorbidities, and chemotherapy may contribute to its prevalence and severity, potentially affecting quality of life, increasing fall risk, and delaying treatment. Data on the incidence and prevalence of these symptoms are limited. This systematic review aimed to summarize the evidence and estimate the incidence and prevalence of dizziness or vertigo and impaired postural balance in patients with cancer ≥65 years receiving chemotherapy.

This meta-analysis sought to assess the efficacy and safety of poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) as maintenance therapy for patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer (OC).

The integration of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) with perioperative chemotherapy (CT) has become a major focus of clinical research in resectable gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) cancer. Recent phase 2 and 3 trials have reported disparate outcomes, generating considerable debate. To synthesize this evidence, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adding ICIs to CT in this setting.

This meta-analysis was designed to compare the long-term outcomes of first-line programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy in patients with advanced HER2-negative gastric cancer (GC).

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a novel and promising anti-cancer therapy. We conducted this systematic review to precisely quantify the occurrence and development for actue kidney injury(AKI) following ICIs treatment for cancer. We conducted a search of the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. Twenty-nine studies, comprising 24,953 cancer patients who received ICIs were finally eligible. The incidence of AKI was 16.2% (95%CI:12.8%-19.8%); the incidence of immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated acute kidney injury (ICPi-AKI) was 3.1%(95%CI:2.4%-4%); the incidence of non-ICPi-AKI was 11.2%(95%CI:8.4%-14.3%), and the incidence of sustained AKI was 14.9%(95%CI:7.5%-24.3%). Patients who developed AKI (HR = 1.521(95%CI:1.208-1.916)) and ICPi-AKI (HR = 1.407(95%CI:1.059-1.869)) exhibited an elevated risk of all-cause mortality. An increased risk for AKI was observed with preexisting chronic kidney disease (CKD) and combined with other extrarenal immune-related adverse events (irAEs). The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), proton pump inhibitor (PPI), diuretic, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAASi), antibiotics and fluidone was also significantly associated with incident AKI. Combined therapy had a greater impact on renal injury compared to monotherapy. Patients using ipilimumab were more prone to developing AKI, compared to those using nivoluma. CTLA4 (ref'PD-1) was associated with a higher likelihood of sustained AKI. The use of PDL-1(ref='PD-1) was linked to an increased susceptibility to ICPi-AKI. The occurrence of AKI was intricately linked to specific complications, the concomitant use of certain medications, and the specific regimen of ICIs. This deserves our attention.

PARP inhibitor (PARPi)-based therapy is a well-established treatment modality for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) harboring homologous recombination repair (HRR) deficiencies. However, its clinical efficacy in mCRPC without HRR alterations remains undefined.