Overall survival after stereotactic radiosurgery versus whole-brain radiotherapy for patients with ≥5 brain metastases: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
e14017 Background: The role of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is well established in the setting of one to four brain metastases (BM), offering effective control with reduced neurocognitive toxicity compared with whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT). However, for patients with five or more BM, the optimal radiation strategy remains uncertain, and comparative outcome data are limited. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare overall survival (OS) between SRS and WBRT in patients with ≥ 5 BM. Methods: A systematic review was conducted to identify comparative studies of SRS versus WBRT in patients with ≥5 brain metastases. Retrospective and prospective studies reporting median OS with available cohort sizes were included. Comparative survival was summarized using pooled ratios of median survival within a random-effects meta-analytic framework. Results: Five comparative studies were included, comprising 226 patients treated with SRS and 261 treated with WBRT, including both retrospective and prospective cohorts. Sample-size–weighted summary (with reported medians) showed median OS was 8.1 months with SRS and 7.7 months with WBRT. Pooled analysis demonstrated no significant difference in OS between treatment strategies (ratio of median survival, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.73–1.46; p = 0.81). Conclusions: Among patients with ≥5 BM, SRS and WBRT were associated with comparable OS. These data suggest that OS alone may not guide treatment choice in this population, emphasizing the importance of careful patient selection. As focal therapies are increasingly incorporated into clinical practice for patients with higher intracranial disease burden, prospective, multi-institutional randomized clinical trials are needed to better define optimal management strategies. Summary of included studies reporting median overall survival (OS). Study Study Design SRS (n) WBRT (n) Median OS in SRS cohort (months) Median OS in WBRT cohort (months) Kim et al., 2009 Retrospective 29 39 5.6 7.2 Mizuno et al., 2019 Retrospective 24 20 7.3 7 .2 Li et al., 2020 Prospective, randomized 35 34 7.8 8.9 Bodensohn et al., 2023 Prospective, non-randomized 40 70 10.4 6.5 Aizer et al., 2025 Prospective, randomized 98 98 8.3 8.5
Outcomes after single-fraction preoperative stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastases: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
e14016 Background: Postoperative stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is utilized following resection of brain metastases (BM), however use is limited by target delineation uncertainty and an increased risk of leptomeningeal disease (LMD). Preoperative SRS allows for precise targeting and is being increasingly utilized in treatment paradigms of resectable BM. Reported outcomes across studies are promising and there are several phase 3 trials which are underway. Therefore, we pooled multiple studies and conducted a meta-analysis to estimate 1-year local control (LC), LMD incidence, and overall survival (OS) following single-fraction preoperative SRS for resectable BM. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Scopus to identify studies of single-fraction preoperative SRS for resectable BM. For each cohort, data for 1-year LC, 1-year LMD, and 1-year OS, along with corresponding sample sizes, were extracted. A proportion-based meta-analysis was performed to derive pooled estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), with between-study heterogeneity quantified using I². Results: Ten studies published between 2016 and 2025, including both prospective trials and retrospective cohorts, met the inclusion criteria. There were 617 patients treated with single-fraction preoperative SRS. The median age was 60.8 years (range 58-65 years), and the median prescribed dose was 15.8 Gy (range 14.5-17.0 Gy). The pooled 1-year LC rate was 81.9% (95% CI, 76.9-85.9; I² = 43.4%). The pooled 1-year incidence of LMD was 4.6% (95% CI, 2.8-7.4; I² = 0%), and the pooled 1-year OS rate was 60.2% (95% CI, 55.5-64.8; I² = 0%). Sensitivity analyses showed stable pooled estimates, with no single study driving the results. Conclusions: Single-fraction preoperative SRS is associated with low rates of LMD and acceptable LC and OS. In the context of historically reported postoperative SRS outcomes, these results suggest that preoperative SRS represents a promising strategy in selected patients. Randomized trials are needed to define the comparative role and optimal patient selection for preoperative SRS, with ongoing studies (NCT05341739, NCT03741673) expected to clarify its role in the management of resectable BM. Study characteristics and reported outcomes of single-fraction preoperative SRS for BM. Study Study design Number of patients Median age (years) Median dose (Gy) 1-year LTC (%) 1-year LMD (%) 1 year OS (%) Agarwal, 2024 Trial 47 59 NR NR 4.8 NR Higazy, 2025 Trial 35 61 17 82 2.86 NR Li, 2022 Retrospective 24 64 NR 87.6 NR NR Mallela, 2024 Retrospective 26 64.5 NR 77.2 NR NR Murphy, 2024 Trial 35 63 NR 76.6 NR 59 Patel, 2018 Retrospective 12 57.5 NR 49.1 10 74.1 Patel, 2016 Retrospective 66 58.2 14.5 84.1 3.2 NR Prabhu, 2025 Retrospective 124 NR 17 87.2 1.7 64.5 Prabhu, 2025 Retrospective 183 NR 15 86.4 7.3 58.1 Prabhu, 2020 Retrospective 65 NR NR 77.1 4.2 56.3
Immunotherapy Responses in Viral Hepatitis-Induced HCC: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent liver cancer with poor prognosis, often linked to hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) infections. This meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of immunotherapy in HCC, particularly in cases arising from viral hepatitis. Methods: In adherence to PRISMA Statement 2020 guidelines, the immunotherapeutic outcomes comprised objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Data were analyzed from randomized controlled trials up to April 2024 using the fixed-effects models in R (V.4.3.3.) and RevMan (Cochrane). Results: This study included 9 trials with 5316 patients. The ORR was slightly higher in the viral group at 27.93% compared to 24.07% in the non-viral group, though this difference was not significant (p = 0.15). Viral HCC patients exhibited a median PFS of 7.3 months (IQR: 6.2–8.4) compared to 5.8 months (IQR: 5.48–6.13) in non-viral patients, a significant improvement (p = 0.005). Similarly, median OS was longer in the viral group at 16.8 months (IQR: 12.99–20.61) versus 15.2 months (IQR: 13.25–17.15) for non-viral HCC, which was also significant (p < 0.0001). The median OS for viral HCC was 16.8 months (IQR: 14.11–19.49 months), with HBV patients experiencing slightly higher survival at 17.15 months (IQR: 14.3–20 months) compared to 16.8 months (IQR: 12.99–20.61 months) for HCV patients; this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.89). Conclusions: Immunotherapy shows potential in treating HCC, with significantly better outcomes in viral HCC, particularly HBV-associated cases. The heterogeneity highlights the need for personalized treatment approaches based on the viral background of HCC patients. Further research should aim to optimize these therapies to improve survival rates.
Impact of socioeconomic status on cancer care in Southeast Texas: a retrospective population-based cohort study