Efficacy and safety of PD-1 inhibitors as second-line treatment for advanced squamous esophageal cancer: a systematic review and network meta-analysis with a focus on PD-L1 expression levels.

ABSTRACT:

Background

PD-1 inhibitors have shown promising efficacy in enhancing OS and AEs as second-line therapies for patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, there remains no clear consensus on which PD-1 inhibitor provides the best balance between efficacy and safety. To address this key issue in the second-line treatment of ESCC, we conducted a network meta-analysis (NMA) with a focus on OS benefits, particularly in patients with different levels of PD-L1 expression.

Methods

A systematic search of relevant literature was conducted in Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library, covering publications from the inception of these database to June 2024. The evaluated endpoints included OS, progression-free survival (PFS), objective response

SUBMITTER: Yang F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11798917 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature