Prognostic value of neoadjuvant therapy for resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognostic value of preoperative neoadjuvant therapy (NT) compared to upfront surgery (US) in patients with resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science were searched to collect randomized controlled trials on preoperative neoadjuvant therapy versus upfront surgery for resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer before April 7, 2023, and data were extracted after screening according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and HRs were obtained indirectly using enguage software; Stata 12.0 software was used for data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 8 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this study, comprising a total of 1058 cases, including 503 cases in the NT group and 555 cases in the US group. Using an intention-to-treat population (ITT) analysis, the results showed that neoadjuvant treatment improved the R0 resection rate (RR 2.71, 95% CI 1.59–4.62; P = 0.000; I(2) = 46.20%) and overall survival (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.54–0.82; P = 0.000; I(2) = 0.00%). In the subgroup of patients with resectable pancreatic cancer, the R0 resection rate in the NT group versus the US group (RR 1.14, 95% CI 0.93–1.39; P = 0.196; I(2) = 0.00%) and overall survival (HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.64–1.24; P = 0.489; I(2) = 0.00%) were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative neoadjuvant treatment is of prognostic value in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer, as it increases the R0 resection rate and improves overall survival compared to upfront surgery.