Meta-analysis of the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer

Background Neither improvements in surgical techniques and methods nor advances in radiotherapy equipment and techniques have significantly improved cervical cancer survival rates for quite some time. Aim By comparing the effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer, this study aimed to explore effective treatment methods for locally advanced cervical cancer, and provide a theoretical basis to guide clinical practice. Methods A search of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane databases was undertaken to identify randomized controlled trials on the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer, where the intervention in the experimental group was neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the studies were evaluated for quality according to the Cochrane Quality Rating Scale. Baseline information, intervention information and outcome indicators of the included studies were extracted. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4. Results Significant differences in overall survival [relative risk (RR) 1.63, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.69–2.57; p = 0.0007] and complete remission rate (RR 0.37, 95 % CI −0.49 to 1.23; p = 0.041) were found between the two groups. Heterogeneity of the objective response rate showed p < 0.0001 and I2 = 99 % (I2 = 99 > 50 % and p > 0.1 for the Q-test suggested strong heterogeneity). The fixed effects model was chosen for the integration statistic [standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.81, 95 % CI −0.21 to 1.83; p = 0.12]; the difference was not significant (p > 0.05). Heterogeneity of the adverse effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy showed p < 0.0001 and I2 = 98 % (I2 = 98 %>50 % and p > 0.1 for the Q-test suggested strong heterogeneity). The fixed effects model was chosen for the integration statistic (SMD −0.023, 95 % CI −0.95 to 0.49; p = 0.53); the difference was not significant (p > 0.05). Conclusions The use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer improved the objective response rate and the complete remission rate of patients, but failed to improve overall survival and adverse effects.