Efficacy and safety of PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Recurrent ovarian cancer (OC) presents a significant therapeutic challenge with limited treatment success. Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) immune checkpoint inhibitors have emerged as a potential treatment avenue, necessitating a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate their efficacy and safety.

Methods: Adhering to preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive literature search across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, culminating in the inclusion of studies focusing on the treatment of recurrent OC with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Studies were evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and analyzed using fixed or random effects models depending on heterogeneity levels.

Results: Our search yielded 1215 articles, with 6 meeting the inclusion criteria for final analysis. Studies varied in size and reported median age, overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and adverse events. The meta-analysis showed improved Objective Response Rates (ORR), Disease Control Rate (DCR), and PFS in patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. The overall adverse event rate was 17.9%, indicating a need for careful patient selection and monitoring. No significant publication bias was detected, enhancing the reliability of our findings.

Conclusions: PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors offer a promising treatment option for recurrent OC, improving ORR, DCR, and PFS. However, the higher incidence of adverse events necessitates a cautious approach to their use. Future research should focus on long-term outcomes, biomarker identification, and optimal combination therapies.