Project description:BackgroundWith clinical trials on the use of different modern precise radiotherapy techniques in the setting of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in N2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accumulating, an updated meta-analysis was performed.MethodsA literature search identified studies that investigated PORT versus non-PORT in N2 NSCLC patients. Overall survival (OS) and locoregional recurrence (LR) were employed. The hazard ratio (HR) and relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were analyzed.ResultsOverall, 33 studies comprised 8653 patients in the PORT group and 12398 in the non-PORT group. The HR for OS was 0.95 [95% CI: 0.91-0.98, P: 0.0009]. HRs of studies employing conventional radiotherapy, 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) were 0.90 [95% CI: 0.78-1.04, P: 0.16], 0.82 [95% CI: 0.72-0.93, P: 0.002] and 0.77 [95% CI: 0.64-0.91, P: 0.003], respectively. All HRs favor the PORT group. The RR for LR was 0.56 [95% CI: 0.49-0.65, P<0.00001]. RRs of studies employing conventional radiotherapy, 3D-CRT and IMRT were 0.61 [95% CI: 0.50-0.75, P<0.00001], 0.58 [95% CI: 0.46-0.72, P<0.00001] and 0.58 [95% CI: 0.45-0.73, P<0.00001], respectively.ConclusionPORT using 3D-CRT or IMRT benefits patients with N2 NSCLC in terms of LR and OS. PORT using conventional radiotherapy significantly decreases LR while it does not significantly increase OS.
Project description:PurposeFor resectable cases of stage III-N2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the best treatment after surgery is still uncertain. The effect of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) is controversial. Thus, we performed this updated meta-analysis to reassess the data of PORT in stage III-N2 NSCLC patients, to figure out whether these patients can benefit from PORT.MethodsWe conducted searches of the published literature in EMBASE, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library for relevant randomized control trials (RCTs) comparing PORT group with the non-PORT group in NSCLC patients at stage III-N2. These studies allowed the prior chemotherapy in the treatment. We extracted the data from these articles and used the hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as summary statistics for estimating the effect of PORT on overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), local-regional recurrence-free survival (LRFS).ResultThe analyses of seven randomized controlled trials (1,318 participants) show no benefit of PORT on survival (HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.71 to 1.07; p = 0.18) but a significantly different effect of PORT on DFS (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.71 to 0.97; p = 0.02) and LRFS (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.50 to 0.81; p = 0.0003). There is not enough evidence of a difference in the effect on survival by the utility of chemotherapy along with PORT though subgroup analysis of no chemotherapy group, concurrent chemoradiotherapy and sequential chemoradiotherapy group. Even in trials with 3D-CRT radiation technique, the pooled analysis shows no benefit of PORT on survival in patients with stage III-N2 NSCLC (data is not shown).ConclusionOur findings illustrate that in the postoperative treatment for patients with stage III-N2 NSCLC, PORT contributes to a significantly increased DFS and LR and may not associate with an improved OS, indicating a cautious selection.
Project description:BackgroundThe current staging system for completely resected pathologic N2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with chemotherapy is not suitable for distinguishing those patients most likely to benefit from postoperative radiotherapy (PORT). This study aimed to construct a survival prediction model that will enable individualized prediction of the net survival benefit of PORT in patients with completely resected N2 NSCLC treated with chemotherapy.MethodsA total of 3,094 cases from between 2002 and 2014 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Patient characteristics were included as covariates, and their association with overall survival (OS) with and without PORT was assessed. Data from 602 patients from China were included for external validation.ResultsAge, sex, the number of examined/positive lymph nodes, tumor size, the extent of surgery, and visceral pleural invasion (VPI) were significantly associated with OS (P<0.05). Two nomograms were developed based on clinical variables to estimate individuals' net survival difference attributable to PORT. The calibration curve showed excellent agreement between the OS predicted by the prediction model and that actually observed. In the training cohort, the C-index for OS was 0.619 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.598-0.641] in the PORT group and 0.627 (95% CI: 0.605-0.648) in the non-PORT group. Results showed that PORT could improve OS [hazard ratio (HR): 0.861; P=0.044] for patients with a positive PORT net survival difference.ConclusionsOur practical survival prediction model can be used to make an individualized estimate of the net survival benefit of PORT for patients with completely resected N2 NSCLC who have been treated with chemotherapy.
Project description:Despite conventionally applied postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in pathological N2 (pN2) stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) considering high locoregional recurrence, its survival benefit has been a continuous topic of debate. Although several randomized clinical trials have been conducted, many of them have been withdrawn or analyzed without statistical significance due to slow accrual, making it difficult to determine the efficacy of PORT. Recently, the results of large-scale randomized clinical trials have been published, which showed some improvement in disease-free survival with PORT, but finally had no impact on overall survival. Based on these results, it was expected that the debate over PORT in pN2 patients with NSCLC would come to an end. However, since pN2 patients have different clinicopathologic features, it has become more important to carefully select the patient population who will benefit from PORT. In addition, given the development of systemic treatments such as molecular-targeted therapy and immunotherapy, it is crucial to evaluate whether there is any benefit to PORT in the midst of these recent changes. Therefore, determining the optimal treatment approach for NSCLC pN2 patients remains a complex issue that requires further research and evaluation.
Project description:BackgroundThe role of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in resected stage IIIa-N2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who have received adjuvant chemotherapy remains controversial. This study aimed to explore the value of PORT and determine which patients could benefit from PORT.MethodsStage IIIa-N2 NSCLC patients treated with surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) databases from 2004 to 2015. Eligible patients were divided into the following two groups: PORT group and non-PORT group. Overall survival (OS) was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier (KM) method, and differences in survival were evaluated with log-rank test. Long-term cause-specific mortality consisted of lung cancer-related mortality and non-lung cancer-related mortality was investigated through competing risk analysis. Cox regression analysis was performed to identify variables that significantly affected OS.ResultsWe identified 2,347 eligible patients, after propensity score matching (PSM), 877 pairs were selected. Overall, there was no significant difference in OS between two groups, but the patients who received PORT had a lower lung cancer-related mortality rate. Subgroup analysis showed that PORT was associated with a significantly better OS and lower lung cancer-related mortality rate in patients with T2, grade I-II and positive/resected lymph node ratio (LNR) ≥0.31. The non-lung cancer-related mortality of PORT group was higher in the patients with squamous cell carcinoma, although the difference was not significant. The independent prognostic factors for OS were age, sex, grade, histology, the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) T stage and LNR.ConclusionsOur results revealed that PORT appears to be the optimal treatment strategy in patients with AJCC T2, grade I-II and LNR ≥0.31. PORT may not be recommended for patients with squamous cell carcinoma.
Project description:BackgroundThe significance of postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy (PORT) on the survival of resected IIIA-N2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. Here, we aimed to determine the predictive value of the three nodal classifications which might aid in PORT decision-making.MethodsA total of 4797 patients with stage IIIA-N2 resected NSCLC were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database and were grouped by whether PORT was administered. Survival analysis was used to identify the patient groups who can benefit from PORT. Multivariate analysis was performed to confirm the independent risk factors for lung cancer-specific survival (LCSS) and overall survival (OS). A validation cohort of 1184 patients from three medical centers in China were also included.ResultsPORT was not associated with better LCSS and OS in the entire cohort after propensity score matching (PSM). However, in the subgroups of positive lymph nodes 4 (PLN4), lymph node ratio 4 (LNR4), and log odds of positive lymph nodes 4 (LODDS4), PORT exhibited its role in improving LCSS (p < 0.05). Although the three nodal classifications were all identified as independent predictors of LCSS and OS, LODDS classification had the best discriminatory ability and prognostic accuracy for stage IIIA-N2 patients. Similar results were also obtained in the validation cohort.ConclusionsThe LODDS classification not only exhibited the best prognostic performance in predicting LCSS and OS in stage IIIA-N2 disease, but also could help tailor individualized PORT.
Project description:BackgroundTheoretically, postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) could reduce the risk of local recurrence and further improve survival outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical impact of PORT on patients with pIII-N2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after complete resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy.MethodsA systematic literature search was performed in November 2022 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compare PORT with observation in patients with pIII-N2 NSCLC using PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. This meta-analysis is in accordance with the recommendations of the PRISMA statement. The main outcomes were overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and local recurrence rates, which were compared using hazard ratios (HRs).ResultsFive RCTs involving 1,138 patients were included: 572 patients in the PORT group and 566 patients in the observation group. The methodological quality of the five RCTs was high. Pooled analysis revealed that PORT decreased local recurrence rate [odds ratio =0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.40-0.70]. However, PORT did not improve median DFS (HR =0.93, 95% CI: 0.80-1.08) and OS (HR =0.94, 95% CI: 0.78-1.14).ConclusionsCompared to adjuvant chemotherapy alone, additional PORT was significantly associated with a reduced local recurrence rate. However, neither DFS nor OS benefited from PORT in patients with pIII-N2 NSCLC who had undergone complete resection.
Project description:Background: The role of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in completely resected pathological stage IIIA-N2 (pIIIA-N2) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the effect of PORT in patients with pIIIA-N2 NSCLC on the basis of clinicopathological features. Methods: The PubMed, PubMed Central (PMC), Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched for relevant studies. The main outcomes were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), which were compared using the hazard ratio (HR). Results: One randomized trial and 12 retrospective studies were eligible for the analysis. PORT significantly improved both OS [HR = 0.85; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.79-0.92] and DFS (HR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.38-0.85) compared with non-PORT treatment in patients with multiple N2 metastases or multiple N2 station involvement. No significant difference in either OS (HR = 1.03; 95% CI: 0.86-1.24) or DFS (HR = 1.08; 95% CI: 0.70-1.65) was found between PORT and non-PORT groups for patients with single N2 station involvement. No significant heterogeneity was observed. No significant differences in OS were observed between PORT and non-PORT groups for patients of different ages, sex, tumor sizes or pT stages, and histological types. Conclusions: The findings of this meta-analysis supported a role for PORT in patients with completely resected pIIIA-N2 NSCLC having multiple N2 metastases and favored withholding PORT to patients with single N2 station involvement. Further prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the findings.
Project description:The resected pⅢA-N2 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who could benefit from postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) are not well-defined. The study explored the role of PORT on EGFR mutant and wild-type NSCLC patients. We retrospectively searched for resected pIIIA-N2 lung adenocarcinoma patients who underwent EGFR mutation testing. 80 patients with EGFR wild-type and 85 patients with EGFR mutation were included. 62 patients received PORT. In overall population, the median disease-free survival (DFS) was improved in PORT arm compared to non-PORT arm (22.9 vs. 16.1 months; p = 0.036), along with higher 2-year locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS) rate (88.3% vs. 69.3%; p = 0.004). In EGFR wild-type patients, PORT was associated with a longer median DFS (23.3 vs. 17.2 months; p = 0.044), and a higher 2-year LRFS rate (86.8% vs. 61.9%; p = 0.012). In EGFR mutant patients, PORT was not significantly correlated with improved survival outcomes. EGFR wild-type may a biomarker to identify the cohort that benefits from PORT.
Project description:BackgroundThe role of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) for patients with completely resected stage N2 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been controversial. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of PORT and prognosis in these patients.ObjectivesAn updated meta-analysis was conducted in this study to investigate the efficacy of PORT and prognosis in patients with completely resected and pathologically confirmed stage N2 NSCLC.DesignThis study is a systematic review and meta-analysis.Data source and methodsDatabases were searched up to 2 March 2022. All trials on patients with completely resected and pathologically confirmed stage N2 NSCLC undergoing PORT were screened, and data indicators in the PORT and non-PORT groups were extracted, respectively. The effect of PORT on overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) was estimated. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed.ResultsIn all, 20 studies involving 6340 patients were finally included. The PORT significantly increased OS [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.71-0.84, p < 0.001), LRFS (HR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.52-0.76, p < 0.001), and DFS (HR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.63-0.82, p < 0.001) while it showed no significant difference in improving DMFS (HR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.71-1.05, p = 0.14).ConclusionOur results suggest that in the postoperative treatment of patients with completely resected and pathologically confirmed stage N2 NSCLC, the addition of PORT provides better local recurrence control and survival benefit, but no benefit for distant metastases. The PORT may be incorporated into the postoperative treatment options for some patients with high-risk factors. However, it needs to be validated by more prospective studies in the future.Trail registrationCRD42022314095.