Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive primary brain tumor with a poor prognosis. The current standard regimen of surgery combined with concurrent temozolomide chemoradiotherapy has limited efficacy. Multiple targeted therapies have been evaluated in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), but results are inconsistent and lack systematic comparisons. This review used network meta-analysis (NMA) to assess the relative efficacy and safety of different targeted drugs vs. standard treatment.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become a standard treatment for recurrent or metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), yet survival outcomes remain highly heterogeneous, and reliable host-related prognostic biomarkers are lacking in the immunotherapy era. Growing evidence suggests that nutritional status and body composition may influence immune competence, treatment tolerance, and survival, although data specific to ICI-treated HNSCC are fragmented. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines to evaluate the prognostic impact of pretreatment CT-based sarcopenia defined by skeletal muscle index (SMI) and the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) on overall survival (OS) in patients with HNSCC treated with ICIs. PubMed and Embase were searched, and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using random-effects models. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Nine studies met the inclusion criteria, of which four evaluated CT-based sarcopenia and five evaluated PNI. In analyses restricted to multivariable-adjusted estimates, pretreatment sarcopenia was significantly associated with poorer OS (HR 2.05, 95% CI 1.48-2.84), with no evidence of heterogeneity. In a prespecified secondary meta-analysis, low PNI was also associated with inferior OS (HR 3.67, 95% CI 2.52-5.32). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the pooled estimates. Overall methodological quality was moderate to high. Together, these findings indicate that structural muscle depletion and immune-nutritional impairment represent complementary dimensions of host vulnerability in ICI-treated HNSCC. These readily available host-related markers may support prognostic stratification and hypothesis generation.

Time toxicity-the time patients spend receiving treatment, managing side effects, attending follow-ups and undergoing rehabilitation-is increasingly recognised as an important burden of cancer care. While time toxicity has been studied in routine clinical settings, it has rarely been quantified among patients with cancer enrolled in pharmacotherapy clinical trials. This systematic review aims to quantify time toxicity in this population.

The objective is to assess the effectiveness and safety of combining PD-1 inhibitors with CTLA-4 inhibitors for melanoma treatment, drawing on current meta-analysis findings and evaluating the supporting evidence. We used medical subject words and free text words (such as "PD-1 inhibitor", "CTLA-4 inhibitor", "melanoma") as search keywords to search the literature in six literature databases from the establishment of the database to 11 April 2025. Using the PICO (Participant, Intervention, Control, and Outcome) framework, we identified 27 unique associations between combination treatment efficacy outcomes and 70 unique associations between adverse event outcomes, which were re-evaluated using a random effects model. A total of 10 meta-analysis were included, including 36 randomized controlled trials and two retrospective studies. According to the evaluation meta-analysis of AMSTAR 2 (A MeaSurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews, version 2), all 10 meta-analysis were of very low quality. The association of outcome indicators was re-analyzed based on the random effects model, of which 26 associations showed high efficacy of combination therapy and 66 associations showed poor safety of combination therapy. In conclusion, a PD-1 inhibitor combined with a CTLA-4 inhibitor is a very effective method for the treatment of melanoma, but the incidence of various types of adverse reactions is high, and the evidence is not reliable. Therefore, future studies need higher quality evidence.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of various interventions for preventing and alleviating oral mucositis (OM), a dose-limiting toxicity induced by cancer treatment.

To systematically evaluate and update the evidence about photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) as a therapy for the prevention and/or treatment of oral mucositis (OM) induced by antineoplastic therapies.

The first-line treatment for persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer continues to pose significant clinical challenges. While the application of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has transformed the existing treatment paradigm, the lack of direct comparisons between the different immunotherapy regimens limits the selection of optimal strategies for diverse patient populations.

The treatment landscape for relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma has changed profoundly with the introduction of novel drug classes, some approved solely on the basis of single-arm early-phase trials. We aimed to evaluate antitumour activity and safety outcomes across drug classes in early-phase trials in relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma since 2000.

The therapeutic landscape of HCC has evolved, with ICI-based combinations progressively replacing TKI monotherapy as standard first-line treatment, although concerns remain regarding their safety profile.

This meta-analysis aimed to systematically evaluate the incidence and risk of dizziness associated with novel endocrine therapies (androgen receptor pathway inhibitors, ARPIs) in patients with advanced prostate cancer. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases. After screening titles/abstracts and full-texts, 4 eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 4267 patients were included. Risk of bias assessment was performed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB 2) tool. Meta-analysis results indicated that ARPI-based therapy was significantly associated with an increased risk of all-grade dizziness (risk ratio [RR] = 1.60, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28-2.00, I2 = 18.7%, p = 0.2955) compared with control. For grade ≥ 3 dizziness, the pooled RR was 2.03 (95% CI: 0.56-7.29, I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.8165), though statistical significance was not reached. Subgroup analyses by ARPI type (abiraterone [Abi], Abi + enzalutamide [Enz], darolutamide [Dar], Enz) showed no significant differences in dizziness risk among subgroups (p = 0.2026). In conclusion, novel endocrine therapy with ARPIs increases the risk of all-grade dizziness in prostate cancer patients, while the risk of severe dizziness remains non-significant. Clinicians should monitor dizziness symptoms during ARPI treatment to optimize patient management.

Previous meta-analyses associate cutaneous immune-related adverse events (cirAEs) with improved survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, quantifying their actual prognostic benefit is complicated by immortal time bias inherent in aggregate data. Furthermore, the prognostic utility of cirAEs across distinct treatment regimens-specifically anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapy versus chemo-immunotherapy-has not been rigorously evaluated using time-adjusted methods. We applied individual patient data (IPD) reconstruction and landmark analyses to assess the regimen-specific prognostic impact of early-onset cirAEs.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant forms of brain cancer, posing challenges to modern oncology. Current treatments, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy (e.g., Temozolomide or TMZ), often fail due to the inevitable development of drug resistance. TMZ resistance remains a major therapeutic challenge for the reasons that it is the first-line treatment. Recent studies indicate a rising GBM tumour burden and a trend towards earlier age of onset. It highlights the urgent need for evidence-based policymaking and intensified research to address this most difficult-to-treat malignancy in clinical settings. Ferroptosis, a newly recognized type of controlled cell death induced by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, has emerged as a potential approach to overcome apoptosis resistance and restore drug sensitivity in GBM. This mechanism is modulated by key molecules that can be specifically targeted to either enhance oxidative stress or inhibit antioxidant defences, ultimately leading to tumour cell death. This review conducts a meta-analysis of preclinical evidence to better understand the potential of activating ferroptosis as a key target for developing nanoparticles to resensitize TMZ-resistant GBM cells. Current evidence indicates that combining ferroptosis induction with strategically engineered nanocarrier systems can serve as a novel and effective therapeutic approach to overcome TMZ resistance and advance precision-based GBM treatment.

Tamoxifen is a classic endocrine therapy for breast cancer; however, conventional doses of tamoxifen have serious side effects. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritise the treatment of low-dose tamoxifen. Databases were searched for related studies before November 23, 2023. The overall incidence of breast events, ipsilateral tumour events, and contralateral breast events decreased significantly in patients treated with low-dose tamoxifen. There was no significant difference in mortality from breast cancer (p = 0.767). However, mortality due to non-breast cancer causes was decreased statistically (p <0.001); the overall mortality rate reduced after taking low-dose tamoxifen (p = 0.002). There was no significant rise in the occurrence of endometrial cancer among individuals who received low-dose tamoxifen treatment (p = 0.577). The total incidence of adverse events did not increase at the same time (p = 0.216). For patients with noninvasive breast disease, low doses of tamoxifen can be chosen for prevention and treatment to reduce the risk of breast carcinoma. Key Words: Low-dose tamoxifen, Meta-analysis, Breast.

PURPOSE: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the influencing factors of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy(CIPN) in colorectal cancer (CRC). METHOD: An electronic literature search was carried out across PubMed, Web of Scienc, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and SinoMed to locate research on factors influencing CIPN in CRC. The search encompassed records from the inception of the databases up to June 30, 2025. Two researchers conducted independent screenings of the studies, evaluated their quality, and extracted relevant data. Meta-analysis was performed utilizing RevMan software. RESULTS: A total of 10 studies involving 2008 patients were analyzed, from which 14 potential influencing factors were identified. The meta-analysis indicated that certain factors were significantly linked to a heightened risk of CIPN in individuals with CRC: age ≥ 60 years (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.02 to 2.13), smoking history (OR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.06 to 2.27), diabetes (OR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.01 to 4.07), Hypomagnesemia(OR = 4.17, 95% CI: 2.00 to 8.33), cumulative oxaliplatin dose ≥ 500 mg/m² (OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.20 to 2.63), and Cold exposure (OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.03 to 2.30). CONCLUSION: The meta-analysis identifies several potential risk factors for CIPN in CRC, the thin evidence base across most subgroups precludes definitive conclusions. These findings should be regarded as hypothesis-generating, providing preliminary signals for future prospective studies designed to validate these associations and inform targeted interventions.

This paper reviews the efficacy and safety of various dosing regimens and treatment cycles of intravitreal faricimab as therapy for Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). The included studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or post-hoc analyses of RCTs involving a population of ARMD or macular related disorder patients receiving faricimab therapy. Study outcomes were assessed by best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) or central macular subfield thickness (CST). Data extracted from the journals included characteristics of the patient population, subgroup population, treatment used, therapeutic dose, treatment cycle, BCVA, CVA, number of populations with severe adverse events, and severe ocular adverse events. Study heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic, with values ≤ 40% considered homogeneous. A random effects model was applied when effect estimates crossed the line of no effect. Effect sizes were reported as mean differences with 95% confidence intervals. We included eight studies with a total of 8458 study populations. There are several doses that can be given (1.5 mg and 6 mg) and several cycles of administration (every 4, 8, 12, 16 weeks and personalized treatment interval). Faricimab 6 mg every sixteen weeks has shown a better effect than aflibercept and ranibizumab. These findings suggest that faricimab 6 mg administered every sixteen weeks demonstrated superior outcomes in improving best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and greater reductions in central subfield thickness (CST) compared to aflibercept 2 mg every eight weeks. However, a more frequent regimens were associated with significantly higher severe adverse events, especially ocular severe adverse events.

Infusion-related reactions (IRRs) to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been reported in up to 20% of administrations, but the incidence varies among ICIs.

Hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR) is a common adverse effect of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR-TKIs), but its prognostic value remained disputable. In this study, we aimed to assess the association between HFSR and survival outcomes in cancer patients receiving VEGFR-TKIs. MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception to 29 June 2025. Two authors independently selected cohort studies, extracted data and appraised the risk of bias of included studies using the Quality In Prognosis Studies checklist. The outcomes were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). A random-effects model meta-analysis was performed to calculate pooled hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses based on various cancer types and VEGFR-TKIs types were also conducted. Thirty-two observational studies involving 6543 patients receiving VEGFR-TKIs were included, of whom 2671 experienced HFSR. Patients who developed VEGFR-TKI-induced HFSR showed better OS (HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.49-0.60) and PFS (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.53-0.65) compared with those who did not. Subgroup analysis revealed significantly improved OS and PFS in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer or non-small cell lung cancer who developed VEGFR-TKI-induced HFSR. HFSR was also a positive prognostic factor for OS and PFS in patients receiving sorafenib, regorafenib, fruquintinib, anlotinib and cabozantinib. In conclusion, VEGFR-TKI-induced HFSR may serve as a positive surrogate marker for survival. Early detection and optimal management for HFSR in patients receiving VEGFR-TKI therapy is needed to maintain treatment efficacy and life quality. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42024598845.

Copyright: &copy; 2026 Aleid et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of anlotinib combined with programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) inhibitors in the treatment of malignant solid tumors.

Locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (la/mUC) is associated with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic approach. While previous meta-analyses have shown the efficacy and safety of ADCs in UC, the rapid development of new ADC agents and combination therapies necessitates an updated and comprehensive evidence synthesis.