The incidences of adverse events in small-cell lung cancer patients after radiotherapy and immunotherapy treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract

Immunotherapy is important in treating small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), and its anti-tumor effects are better when combined with radiotherapy. However, the toxicity of this combination is little known. This study assessed the incidences of adverse events when adding radiotherapy to ICIs in patients with SCLC. We searched the online databases to identify eligible studies and included nine references. For extensive-stage SCLC patients, the median PFS ranged from 4.5 to 12.5 months, and median OS ranged from 8.4 to NR months, respectively. The incidences of grade 3 or higher pneumonitis, lung infection, diarrhea, and fatal adverse events were 8.7% (95% CI: 5%-14.7%), 6.7% (95% CI: 2.5%-16.5%), 12.6% (95% CI: 7.6%-20%), and 5.1% (95% CI: 2.1%-11.6%), respectively. Our findings suggest that radiotherapy plus ICIs may provide acceptable safety and favorable efficacy for SCLC patients.