Concurrent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy could improve survival outcomes for patients with esophageal cancer: a meta-analysis based on random clinical trials

BACKGROUND: The long-term survival benefit of concurrent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with resectable esophageal cancer remains controversial. In the present study, we conducted a meta-analysis to assess these effectiveness. METHODS: We searched for most relevant studies published up to the end of August 2016, using Pubmed and web of knowledge. And additional articles were identified from previous meta-analysis. The hazard ratio (HR, for overall survival and progression free survival) or risk ratio (RR, for R0 resection) with its corresponding 95 % confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the pooled effect. RESULTS: Twelve articles including 1756 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Concurrent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery was associated with significantly improved overall survival (HR=0.76 , 95% CI= 0.68-0.86), progression survival (HR =0.69, 95% CI= 0.59-0.81), and R0 resection rate(RR =1.17, 95% CI= 1.03-1.33). Subgroup analysis suggested that concurrent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy could improve overall survival outcome for squamous cell carcinoma (HR=0.73, 95%CI=0.61-0.88) but not those for adenocarcinoma (HR=0.72, 95%CI=0.48-1.04). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that concurrent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy was associated with a significant survival benefit in patients with esophageal cancer.