This network meta-analysis aimed to compare and rank the efficacy and safety of acupuncture-related therapies (ARTs) for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in improving insulin resistance (IR), reproductive endocrine outcomes, and ovarian morphology.

This study aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combination regimens in locally advanced resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and evaluate the pros and cons of different regimens and their impacts on survival by integrating network meta-analysis (NMA) and real world studies (RWS). ESCC accounts for approximately 90% of global esophageal cancer cases, with over half occurring in China. Although neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy improves prognosis, unmet clinical needs persist; the optimal neoadjuvant immunotherapy regimen remains controversial. Current large-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suffer from limited sample sizes and fail to adequately reflect the treatment realities of patients in the Chinese real-world setting.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The majority of patients with HCC are diagnosed at an advanced stage, resulting in limited treatment options. In recent years, numerous clinical trials have confirmed that immunotherapy, particularly anti-programmed cell death 1 (anti-PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), has emerged as a promising treatment for advanced HCC. However, in real-world practice, the clinical efficacy of adding immunotherapy to locoregional therapies remains unknown, representing a knowledge gap.

Ovarian cancer (OC) remains one of the most lethal gynecologic malignancies, with nearly 80% of patients diagnosed at advanced stages due to the absence of early symptoms and the nonspecific nature of later clinical manifestations. This highlights the urgent need for robust molecular biomarkers that can refine patient stratification and guide personalized therapeutic approaches. A major determinant of OC aggressiveness is the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a transcriptionally driven program that represses epithelial identity while promoting mesenchymal traits, thereby enhancing invasion, dissemination, recurrence, and resistance to therapy. EMT dysregulation is widespread in OC and fuels tumor heterogeneity, metastatic spread, and chemoresistance. To investigate the contribution of EMT-related genes in OC biology, we analyzed whole-genome sequencing and RNA-seq data from 419 patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Pan-Cancer Atlas, assessing their genomic and transcriptomic alterations. We integrated these findings with transcriptomic and drug-sensitivity data from the CTRPv2 portal, performing Pearson correlation analyses to identify therapeutic vulnerabilities associated with EMT gene expression. Our analysis identifies recurrent genomic and transcriptomic alterations across several EMT-associated genes. Notably, we identified a four-EMT gene signature (EFNA1, OVOL2, GATA3, and DSG2) whose expression correlates with differential sensitivity to VEGFR and EGFR inhibitors in OC cell lines. Overall, these results suggest that EMT-driven molecular changes contribute to the onset and progression of OC and highlight a subset of EMT genes as promising predictive biomarkers for targeted therapy responses.

The combination of disitamab vedotin (DV), a novel human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeting antibody-drug conjugate, with immunotherapy represents a promising strategy for locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors. However, comprehensive evidence regarding its efficacy and safety is lacking. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize available data on this combination regimen.

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide. For patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer (R/MCC) after surgery or radiotherapy, drug therapy is the primary treatment modality. Currently, head-to-head comparison studies of different immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) combination regimens are lacking in clinical practice. This study aims to provide an indirect comparison of the relative efficacy of various drug regimens (including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy) for R/MCC patients through a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA).

The malignant glioma, as the most common and aggressive primary brain and spinal cord neoplasm, has shown limited responsiveness to available treatments, including tumor dissection, radiation, and chemotherapy. Thus, interferon type I, as a supplemental therapy, is added to the main therapies to overcome neoplasm resistance and prolong the patients' lifespan.

Optimizing the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer is important for reducing mortality. Therefore, it is essential, among others, to know the predictive markers of abiraterone acetate (AA) treatment in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). We aimed to clarify the predictive factors of AA treatment of mCRPC patients, and particularly the predictive role of comorbidities and co-medication based on meta-analysis of published data.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Microvascular invasion (MVI) is a critical pathological indicator of postoperative recurrence and poor prognosis in patients with HCC. Some researchers have explored the diagnostic accuracy of deep learning (DL) based on various imaging modalities for MVI.

Osimertinib, a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, was developed to overcome resistance from EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). While it offers significant therapeutic benefits, reports have linked Osimertinib to cardiotoxic effects. This study aims to clarify the direct cardiotoxicity of Osimertinib by reviewing clinical trials and cohort studies involving Osimertinib monotherapy compared to other EGFR inhibitors. A search was conducted in online databases. Measured outcomes included risk of heart failure (HF), myocardial infarction (MI), decline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), arrhythmias, and pericardial effusion. These outcomes were reported as risk ratio (RR) with a random effects model using 95% confidence intervals (CI). Five studies with 19,008 patients (age 68 ± 13, 65% female) were selected. Osimertinib therapy was associated with an increased risk of HF (RR = 1.45, 95% CI 1.19-1.76, p = 0.0002), decline in LVEF (RR = 3.10, 95% CI 1.72-5.59, p = 0.0002) and MI (RR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.09-1.79, p = 0.0078) compared to other EGFR inhibitors. There was no difference in the risk of arrhythmias and pericardial effusion. Osimertinib therapy is associated with an increased risk of HF and a decline in LVEF compared to other EGFR inhibitors, while associations with MI and arrhythmias were less consistent. Although these events are infrequent, their potential severity warrants proactive cardiac monitoring for patients receiving Osimertinib, particularly in patients with pre-existing risk factors.

Bone metastases are a frequent and clinically consequential complication of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), associated with substantial morbidity and poor survival. Whether adding radiotherapy (RT) to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) improves outcomes remains uncertain.

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of 177Lu-labelled peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs).

It is unproven whether sentinel node biopsy (SNB) for people with cutaneous melanoma improves survival. This study aimed to establish whether there is a reduction in the risk of death from melanoma after SNB.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer (BC) is an aggressive subtype that is associated with poorer outcomes. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with trastuzumab has significantly improved prognosis, and the addition of pertuzumab has further enhanced the treatment response. Pathological complete response (pCR) is a reliable surrogate marker of long-term outcomes, and its achievement can inform surgical and adjuvant therapy decisions. While randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated the benefits of dual HER2 blockade, real-world evidence (RWE) is critical for assessing treatment effectiveness in broader, more diverse populations.

To systematically evaluate the risk factors associated with positive pathology results following second transurethral resection (re-TUR) in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), a thorough database search, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CNKI, was performed, limited to studies published up to January 2023. Researchers independently conducted literature screening, data extraction, and meta-analysis using RevMan 5.3, incorporating 15 studies with 1,877 patients. Based on the results, positive pathology results after re-TUR were associated with the following factors: higher pathological grade (OR = -0.24, 95% CI: -0.31-0.17; p <0.001), tumour size ≥3 cm (OR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.22-0.72; p = 0.003), multiple tumours (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.37-0.61, p <0.001), absence of muscularis propria in the initial resection specimen (OR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.09-0.39; p <0.001), concurrent carcinoma in situ (CIS, OR = 2.99, 95% CI: 1.52-5.87; p = 0.002), a history of bladder cancer recurrence (OR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.30-4.13; p = 0.004), and treatment at different medical institutions for the first and second resections (OR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.12-0.45; p <0.001). This study indicates that higher pathological grade, tumour size ≥3 cm, multiple tumours, the absence of muscularis propria in the initial resection specimen, and concurrent CIS are risk factors for positive pathology results after re-TUR in NMIBC patients. Key Words: Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, Repeat transurethral resection, Tumour residual, Risk factors, Meta-analysis.

The incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC) are steadily rising. Phosphatase-Tensin Homolog Deleted on Chromosome 10 (PTEN) expression is often dysregulated during tumourigenesis; however, its prognostic value in CRC remains debated. This study evaluated the correlation between PTEN expression and the clinicopathological characteristics of CRC patients, and its prognostic significance. A systematic literature review was conducted across Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and CNKI up to June 2023. Thirteen studies with a total of 2,377 participants were included. PTEN expression was significantly lower in CRC tissues than in normal mucosa tissues. Positive PTEN expression was associated with better overall survival and favourable pathological features. No significant correlation was found with age, gender, differentiation grade, tumour size, or distant metastasis. Negative PTEN expression is a poor prognostic marker in CRC and may serve as a potential indicator for disease monitoring and outcome prediction. Key Words: PTEN, Colorectal cancer, Prognosis, Meta-analysis, Clinical characteristics.

Active surveillance (AS) has been proposed as a management option for recurrence of thyroid cancer. However, the current evidence for AS remains limited because of retrospective study designs, small sample sizes, and follow-up loss. We therefore performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide a more reliable estimate of disease progression during AS for recurrent thyroid cancers.

This network meta-analysis (NMA) evaluated the efficacy and safety of radiotherapy combined with various therapeutic strategies in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC). Fourteen randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with over 5,900 patients and a minimum two-year follow-up were included. Primary outcomes were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and grade ≥3 toxicities. Bayesian models were used for data synthesis and sensitivity analysis. Pembrolizumab plus radiotherapy (A_V) showed a trend toward improved OS [OR = 1.7, 95% CrI (credible intervals): 0.55-5.6] and PFS (OR = 1.6, 95% CrI: 0.4-6.2) without statistical significance. Toxicity analysis indicated manageable risks for A_V (OR = 0.13, 95% CrI: 0.0095-1.6), while radiotherapy with cisplatin and immunotherapy (A_I_V) showed higher toxicity (OR = 3.3, 95% CrI: 0.45-24). This study highlights the need to optimise radiotherapy strategies, refine combination therapies, and identify predictive biomarkers, providing key insights for personalised treatment approaches in LA-HNSCC. Key Words: Locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, Network meta-analysis, Radiotherapy, Pembrolizumab, Overall survival, Progression-free survival, Cisplatin, Toxicity, Immunotherapy, Bayesian analysis.

Brain metastases from thyroid cancer (TC) are rare and lack standardised management guidelines. Whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) is frequently used for brain metastases from other cancers but its impact on overall survival (OS) in TC remains unclear. We conducted a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis to evaluate the association between WBRT and OS in patients with brain metastases from TC.

This meta-analysis evaluated the oncological outcomes and safety profile of intravesical gemcitabine and docetaxel (Gem/Doce) in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Additionally, efficacy comparison to Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy was aimed only for BCG-naïve NMIBC. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Studies evaluating Gem/Doce for NMIBC were identified through PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. The primary outcome was recurrence-free survival (RFS). Secondary outcomes were high-grade RFS (HG-RFS), progression-free survival (PFS) and risk of adverse events (AEs). A subgroup analysis was performed according to the European Association of Urology (EAU) 2021 risk stratification and previous BCG exposure. A total of 14 studies, involving 1634 NMIBC patients (999 Gem/Doce and 635 BCG), were included. In high-risk BCG-naïve and BCG-treated (BCG-exposed/-unresponsive) NMIBC, Gem/Doce resulted in 24-month RFS of 78% (95% confidence intervals [CI] 70%-84%) and 41% (95% CI: 34%-47%), and 24-month PFS of 97% (95% CI: 69%-100%) and 85% (95% CI: 63%-95%), respectively. Five studies, including BCG-naïve intermediate to very-high-risk NMIBC, directly compared Gem/Doce and BCG, and demonstrated significant heterogeneity and no significant difference in RFS (Hazard ratio: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.51-1.50) and risk of AEs (odds ratio: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.21-1.60). Grade ≥ 3 AEs were found in 3.6% of Gem/Doce cohorts. Across Gem/Doce cohorts, higher maintenance utilization was associated with significantly improved RFS at 24 months (p = .004). However, maintenance effects were derived from between-study comparisons and should be interpreted cautiously due to heterogeneity in maintenance protocols and adherence. Gem/Doce provided acceptable RFS and PFS at 2 years among BCG-naïve patients and those who previously experienced recurrence after BCG. Gem/Doce demonstrated RFS and HG-RFS comparable to BCG in BCG-naïve NMIBC and had an acceptable safety profile.