Selective outcome-reporting bias refers to the selective reporting of a subset of study findings. This methodological limitation may occur in cancer-related acupuncture studies, where valid empirical studies on psychometric performance are still lacking. We assessed the risk of selective outcome reporting bias in studies published in English that were included in a systematic review on acupuncture for preventing cancer chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. For each study, we searched for registry availability and, if present, assessed its validity. We described each study outcome (nausea, vomiting, or both) according to the following seven items: type of outcome, domain, specific measurement, specific metric, type of data, methods of aggregation, and timepoint unit and time. Eleven studies published between 1987 and 2019 in English were evaluated. Only four (36%) had a registry, of which only two were prospective and therefore considered valid. Discrepancies were found in the specific measurement of the outcome in two studies and in the specific metric. In many other cases, discrepancies were not evaluable due to missing information. No study reported complete outcomes as planned in the published protocol. Communication about the importance of prospective trial registration, including outcome details, should be enforced to reduce the risk of selective outcome reporting bias in oncology acupuncture studies.

Doxorubicin is an antitumor antibiotic. It is often used in veterinary medicine to treat and extend the lives of dogs with cancer. A cardiotoxic side effect can lead to heart failure and treatment discontinuation. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the drug's cardiotoxic effects on the ejection fraction (EF) of dogs in doxorubicin protocols. The search was done in eight databases, with a total of 3587 articles screened, resulting in fifteen eligible articles included. A report on the included studies' methods and results was done. It also assessed the risk of bias. Thirteen articles demonstrated cardiac changes in echocardiography with different routes of administration (intravenous and intracoronary). The intracoronary route was more toxic, and in all six studies performed, there was heart failure. The intravenous route caused heart failure in six of the nine studies. A meta-analysis showed this drug worsened heart disease. It included four studies where it significantly lowered the EF. Overall, the intervention produced a mean reduction of 21.24% in EF. This review shows doxorubicin's impact on cardiac function. It reveals the need for careful monitoring of each patient.

Tislelizumab, a PD-1-targeting monoclonal antibody, can potentially treat advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Using pooled clinical data, this study evaluates Tislelizumab's efficacy and safety in advanced ESCC.

Anticoagulants were suggested to influence cancer survival by possible immunomodulatory effect. However, it remained unclear if concomitant use of anticoagulants and various types of them could influence the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in cancer patients. Accordingly, the meta-analysis was performed to systematically evaluate the effect of concomitant anticoagulants in cancer patients receiving ICIs. Relevant studies were obtained by literature search in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases. A conservative random-effect model was used to combine the results. A total of 2686 patients were enrolled, including all the patients analyzed for overall survival (OS) and 2457 patients for progression-free survival (PFS). The publication types of these 5 studies were retrospective studies. We found that concomitant use of anticoagulants significantly impaired the PFS (hazard ratio (HR): 1.29, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10-1.51, p = 0.002) and OS (HR:1.26, 95% CI:1.07-1.47, p = 0.004) of cancer patients receiving ICIs. Subgroup analyses showed that there was worse OS in heparin product subgroup (HR, 2.90; 95%CI: 1.71-4.92, p < 0.001). Our findings suggested that concomitant use of anticoagulants seemed to significantly impair the survival of cancer patients treated with ICIs.

The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors has introduced innovative therapeutic paradigms for the management of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer (GC/GEJC). However, the efficacy and safety of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors combined with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone in patients with HER2-negative advanced GC/GEJC remain contentious. The comparability among different subgroups is not fully understood, necessitating the identification of optimal patient demographics and the exploration of potential biomarkers.

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (PARPis) are effective agents in different tumor types. A typical class of adverse events (AEs) associated with these agents, often leading to treatment modifications and discontinuations of treatment, is hematological toxicity. In our systematic review and safety meta-analysis, we investigated the incidence and risk of all grades and ≥ grade (G) 3 hematological AEs, including anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and acute myeloid leukemia (AML)/myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) due to PARPis, used alone or in combination, in patients diagnosed with solid tumors. This systematic review and meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. We systematically searched the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the European Society of Medical Oncology meeting abstracts for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) concerning the use of PARPis in patients with solid tumors. The search deadline was April 30, 2024. We calculated risk ratios (RRs) for all-grade and ≥ G3 AEs of PARPis versus non-PARPis. 31 phase II/III RCTs were included. Anemia was the most common all-grade (49.2%) and ≥ G3 AE (25.0%). The administration of PARPis significantly increased the risk of developing all grades of anemia (RR = 2.15, p < 0.00001), neutropenia (RR = 1.50, p = 0.0002), and thrombocytopenia (RR = 2.59, p < 0.00001) compared to non-PARPis. Similarly, a significant increase in the risk of ≥ G3 anemia (RR = 5.43, p < 0.00001), neutropenia (RR = 1.70, p = 0.002), and thrombocytopenia (RR = 5.42, p < 0.00001) was detected. PARPis did not increase the risk of AML/MDS (p = 0.86). PARPis increase the risk of hematologic toxicity compared to other treatments in solid tumors. Clinicians should be aware of this risk, especially given the expected increase in PARPis use in the next year in different tumor types.

Recently, there has been significant attention focused on neoadjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with chemotherapy (NICT) for the treatment of resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In order to assess the efficacy and safety of this innovative combination in relation to traditional neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT), we performed a systematic meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

The first-line treatment for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) has evolved from chemotherapy alone to chemoimmunotherapy. However, the improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) have been modest. Therefore, this study employs a comprehensive multidimensional evaluation framework to identify optimized therapeutic combinations with enhanced efficacy and improved safety profiles in the immunotherapy era.

In postmenopausal women with oestrogen receptor-positive early breast cancer, 5 years of adjuvant tamoxifen substantially reduces 15-year recurrence and mortality; aromatase inhibitor treatment (AIT) is even more effective. We assess the effects of further AIT among women recurrence-free after at least 5 years of endocrine therapy.

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Lenvatinib plus transarterial chemoembolization with or without programmed death-1 inhibitors (PD-1 inhibitors) in the treatment of intermediate or advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Skeletal muscle loss during chemotherapy has been associated with poorer outcomes and reduced survival across several types of cancer. However, the extent and progression of muscle loss during treatment for childhood cancers remain unclear. A better understanding could help identify children at increased risk and inform the timing of targeted intervention. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the evidence on skeletal muscle changes during treatment for childhood cancers and identify factors that influence these outcomes. A systematic search was conducted in CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. Studies were eligible if they included children and adolescents (< 19 years) undergoing cancer treatment and reported muscle quantity at a minimum of two time points. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Twenty studies (n = 646; age range: 2.5-14.7 years) were included. A significant decline in muscle quantity was observed during the early phase of treatment (standardized mean difference (SMD): SMD =  - 0.36; 95% CI: - 0.59 to - 0.13; p < 0.05). At later follow-up time points, the overall change was not statistically significant (SMD =  - 0.08; 95% CI: - 0.27 to 0.10; p = 0.36). However, estimates of muscle quantity varied significantly by assessment modality (p = 0.048).

Chemotherapy causes physiological, psychological, and social impairments in patients with cancer. Frailty reduces the effectiveness of chemotherapy and increases the toxicity associated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the possibility of chemotherapy failure, and adverse outcomes. However, factors affecting chemotherapy-related frailty in patients with cancer remain unclarified.

With the escalating global incidence and mortality of lung cancer, immunotherapy has achieved modest success while facing persistent challenges. The immunomodulatory effect of radiotherapy has gradually gained attention, especially the abscopal effect observed in the combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy. Although mechanistically controversial, its clinical significance in lung cancer treatment is noteworthy. Therefore, this study aims to delve into the therapeutic differences between immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) combined with radiotherapy (RT) and traditional immunotherapy alone, aiming to provide scientific evidence for optimizing lung cancer treatment strategies, improving patient outcomes, and enhancing survival rates.

China implemented the Priority Review Program (PRP) to accelerate the approval of innovative drugs with significant clinical value. This study explores whether drugs approved through the PRP have more significant clinical benefits by comparing differences in approval time, efficacy, and safety between drugs approved through the priority and non-priority review pathways.

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have assessed the efficacy of anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD- 1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), alone or combined with other therapies, for ovarian cancer. However, the optimal strategy remains unclear. This study evaluated their effectiveness as monotherapy and in combination.

Chemotherapy, as one of the main treatments for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), brings clinical benefits with varying degrees of gastrointestinal reactions. Post-chemotherapy diarrhea is one of the factors affecting the quality of life of cancer patients. In severe cases, it can cause interruption of the chemotherapy process and even be life-threatening. Probiotics' role in preventing post chemotherapy diarrhea in CRC patients has not been proven.

Cardiotoxicity is a recognized adverse effect associated with anti-HER2 therapies. The Trastuzumab-mediated cardiac dysfunction is not dose-dependent and lacks ultrastructural changes, allowing potential recovery after a few months. There is no consensus on the management of patients who develop cardiotoxicity. This meta-analysis aims to assess the safety of the permissive cardiotoxicity of Trastuzumab in patients with breast cancer. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase up to October 2023 for retrospective or prospective studies that investigated the safety of Trastuzumab in patients with breast cancer who continued Trastuzumab therapy after asymptomatic ejection fraction (EF) decline. We conducted a pooled meta-analysis for the subsequent cardiac events, cardiac mortality, and all-cause mortality. We assessed the quality of included studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and ROBIN-1 tool. A total of eight cohort studies (six retrospective and two prospective), comprising 222 patients, were found eligible and were included in our analysis. The pooled incidence of cardiac events, cardiac-related mortality, and all-cause mortality was 18% (95% CI 13% to 24%), 5% (95% CI 2% to 10%), and 8% (95% CI 2% to 28%), respectively. The incidence of symptomatic or severe cardiac events was lower in those who received cardioprotective medications concomitant with Trastuzumab. Most patients received either angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers, or a combination of both. Continuation of planned Trastuzumab therapy with concomitant use of cardioprotective medications can be a safe and effective approach for breast cancer control in patients with asymptomatic EF decline.

Oral mucositis (OM), as a common adverse effect in patients with chemotherapies, affects the convalescent quality of life. Currently, an increasing number of mouthwashes have been used to improve the incidence of OM in patients undergoing with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Most studies are comparisons of two arms or three groups, resulting in the lack of direct comparative trial evidence for all care fluids.Therefore, it is not clear which mouthwash is better for preventing the occurrence of OM in patients. This study compares the preventive effects of13 mouthwashes currently used to treat OM in different countries.

Cancer immunotherapy enhances the prognosis of cancer patients; however, it has been shown to be associated with potentially fatal cardiac risks, which requires further confirmation. This study aimed to explore the cardiotoxicity of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in solid tumors.

To evaluate the evidence for tamoxifen induced alterations of retina blood flow in macula region, using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA).