Comparative efficacy and safety of second-line therapies for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The optimal second-line treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains uncertain, given variability in efficacy and safety among available therapies. The comparative effectiveness and safety of second-line treatments for advanced HCC were methodically assessed in this network meta-analysis.

Methods

A thorough search was conducted up until 20 February 2025, across the PubMed, Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central, and Web of Science databases to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating second-line monotherapies (such as Ramucirumab, Regorafenib, Pembrolizumab, Cabozantinib, and Apatinib) in adults with advanced HCC. The main results comprised overall survival and progression-free survival; the supplementary results included objective respo

SUBMITTER: Kang F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12675155 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature