Blood-brain barrier permeability following conventional photon radiotherapy - A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical and preclinical studies.

ABSTRACT: Radiotherapy (RT) is a cornerstone treatment strategy for brain tumours. Besides cytotoxicity, RT can cause disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), resulting in an increased permeability into the surrounding brain parenchyma. Although this effect is generally acknowledged, it remains unclear how and to what extent different radiation schemes affect BBB integrity. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to investigate the effect of photon RT regimens on BBB permeability, including its reversibility, in clinical and preclinical studies. We systematically reviewed relevant clinical and preclinical literature in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane search engines. A total of 69 included studies (20 clinical, 49 preclinical) were qualitatively and quantitatively analysed by meta-ana

SUBMITTER: Hart E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9117815 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature