Neoadjuvant Chemo-Radiotherapy for Patients with Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer: A Meta-Analytical Evaluation of Prospective Studies

2012

Context For patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer, the benefit of neoadjuvant therapy remains to be defined. Objective We did a systematic search of the literature on this topic. Methods Prospective studies, where chemotherapy, irrespective of regimen, in combination with radiotherapy was given before surgery to patients with borderline resectable cancer, were analyzed by a meta-analytical method. Primary outcome was tumor response; surgical exploration rate, resection rate, therapy-induced toxicity, and survival were secondary outcomes. Data were expressed as weighted pooled proportions with 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results Eleven studies with 247 participants were…