Clinical efficacy and safety of proton radiotherapy for ocular conjunctival malignancies: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Objective: The use of proton beam therapy (PBT) for treating ocular conjunctival malignancies is on the rise across numerous medical centers. This study conducts a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness and safety of PBT in treating malignant conjunctival tumors.
Methods: We searched for studies on PBT for ocular conjunctival malignancies in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science (WoS) databases up to November 25, 2023. Studies were selected and data were extracted by two independent reviewers based on pre-established inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE method. Meta-analysis was performed using STATA version 16.0.
Results: An initial search yielded 586 articles, from which six retrospective case series studies were selected involving 291 patients with ocular conjunctival malignancies, including 240 cases of conjunctival melanoma and 51 cases of conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Meta-analysis with a random-effects model showed that PBT is effective and relatively safe, with 2-, 4-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates of 98% (95% CI 95-102%), 87% (95% CI 69-104%), and 78% (95% CI 70-87%) respectively. Reported toxicity rates included 19% for cataracts, 10% for glaucoma, 5% for lacrimal stenosis, 52% for sicca symptoms, and 11% for limbal stem cell deficiency. The GRADE assessment yielded a low certainty of evidence.
Conclusions: Proton therapy offers a viable alternative…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 291 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Chaos and quantum thermalization
- The Dalton quantum chemistry program system
- Quantum dots: synthesis, bioapplications, and toxicity
- Cord Blood Leptin and Adiponectin as Predictors of Adiposity in Children at 3 Years of Age: A Prospective Cohort Study
- A Guide to In Silico Drug Design
- Quantitative metabolomics by H-NMR and LC-MS/MS confirms altered metabolic pathways in diabetes
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.