Postoperative radiotherapy in pIIIA-N2 non-small cell lung cancer after complete resection and adjuvant chemotherapy: A meta-analysis

Medicine (Baltimore). 2022 Jul 15;101(28):e29550. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000029550.

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in patients with pIIIA-N2 non-small cell lung cancer after complete resection and adjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods: Electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science databases, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were systematically searched to extract randomized control trials comparing PORT with observation in pIIIA-N2 non-small cell lung cancer patients until October 2021. Main outcomes were disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and local recurrence.

Results: Three-phase 3 randomized control trials involving 902 patients were included: 455 patients in the PORT group and 447 patients in the observation group. The methodological quality of the 3 randomized control trials were high quality. The pooled analysis revealed that PORT decreased local recurrence rate (odds ratio = 0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.40-0.76). However, PORT did not improve median DFS (hazard ratio = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.71-1.00) and OS (hazard ratio = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.68-1.52).

Conclusions: PORT decreased the incidence of local recurrence. However, PORT did not improve DFS and OS.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / radiotherapy
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / surgery
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic