Comparative safety profiles of first-line immunotherapy regimens in advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a network meta-analysis focusing on toxicity stratification.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The combination of immune checkpoint blockade and chemotherapy significantly improves survival when used as first-line treatment for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Nonetheless, the safety profiles of various immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based combination therapies remain inadequately characterized, particularly regarding the incidence of severe adverse events (AEs) and immune-related adverse events (irAEs). The research employed a network meta-analysis to systematically evaluate and contrast the toxicity profiles across various initial ICI-driven treatments for advanced Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods

An extensive literature review was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to identify RCTs e

SUBMITTER: Chen W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12807980 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature