Open Access

Meta‑analysis of current chemotherapy regimens in advanced pancreatic cancer to prolong survival and reduce treatment‑associated toxicities

  • Authors:
    • Jie Chen
    • Linli Chen
    • Jianping Yu
    • Yanmei Xu
    • Xiaohui Wang
    • Ziqian Zeng
    • Ning Liu
    • Fan Xu
    • Shu Yang
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: November 9, 2018     https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2018.9638
  • Pages: 477-489
  • Copyright : © Chen et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License [CC BY 4.0].

Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

Unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer (APC) is a highly lethal malignancy. Although numerous chemotherapeutic regimens are available, evidence regarding the survival extension, the life quality improvement, the associated risks and occurrence rates of adverse effects, is required. The effects of 19 chemotherapy regimens on survival and treatment‑associated toxicities in the context of APC treatment were comparatively assessed. A total of 23 randomized controlled trials were included in this network meta‑analysis. For overall survival, five regimens, Gemcitabine (Gem)+radiotherapy (Radio), Gem+cisplatin (Cis), Gem+erlotinib (Erl)+bevacizumab (Bev), Gem+capecitabine (Cap)+Erl, and Gem+exatecan, were the most effective treatments, according to their respective high surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) probabilities. Regarding the progression‑free survival, five regimens, including Gem+Radio, Gem+Erl+Bev, Gem+Cis, Gem+Cap+Erl and Gem+pemetrexed, were the most effective treatments based on their SUCRA probabilities. Each regimen exhibited advantages and disadvantages, and 14 common treatment‑associated toxicities were present in different proportions. The three principal toxic effects included haematological, gastrointestinal and constitutional symptoms. To improve survival, chemotherapy regimens with high SUCRA probabilities require prioritizing. Although treatment‑associated toxicities are unavoidable, the regimens presented toxicities in distinct proportions. Therefore, clinicians should assess the disease status of the patients, and balance the benefits and risks of the selected treatment.
View Figures
View References

Related Articles

Journal Cover

January-2019
Volume 19 Issue 1

Print ISSN: 1791-2997
Online ISSN:1791-3004

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Chen J, Chen L, Yu J, Xu Y, Wang X, Zeng Z, Liu N, Xu F and Yang S: Meta‑analysis of current chemotherapy regimens in advanced pancreatic cancer to prolong survival and reduce treatment‑associated toxicities. Mol Med Rep 19: 477-489, 2019
APA
Chen, J., Chen, L., Yu, J., Xu, Y., Wang, X., Zeng, Z. ... Yang, S. (2019). Meta‑analysis of current chemotherapy regimens in advanced pancreatic cancer to prolong survival and reduce treatment‑associated toxicities. Molecular Medicine Reports, 19, 477-489. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2018.9638
MLA
Chen, J., Chen, L., Yu, J., Xu, Y., Wang, X., Zeng, Z., Liu, N., Xu, F., Yang, S."Meta‑analysis of current chemotherapy regimens in advanced pancreatic cancer to prolong survival and reduce treatment‑associated toxicities". Molecular Medicine Reports 19.1 (2019): 477-489.
Chicago
Chen, J., Chen, L., Yu, J., Xu, Y., Wang, X., Zeng, Z., Liu, N., Xu, F., Yang, S."Meta‑analysis of current chemotherapy regimens in advanced pancreatic cancer to prolong survival and reduce treatment‑associated toxicities". Molecular Medicine Reports 19, no. 1 (2019): 477-489. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2018.9638