The efficacy and safety of angiogenesis inhibitors for recurrent ovarian cancer: a meta‑analysis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of angiogenesis inhibitors in the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer (OC). METHODS: Electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched to find eligible studies until August 10, 2021. The data on overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and objective response rate (ORR) were pooled. Furthermore, grade ≥ 3 adverse events (AEs) were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 13 studies with 3953 patients were included. Compared with control group, angiogenesis inhibitors resulted in significant improvement in PFS (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.61, 95%CI, 0.54–0.69), OS (HR = 0.88, 95%CI, 0.81–0.95), and ORR (odds ratio (OR) = 2.15, 95% CI, 1.74–2.65). However, angiogenesis inhibitors were associated with a higher risk of grade ≥ 3 AEs (relative risk (RR), 1.20, 95% CI, 1.04–1.38). CONCLUSION: Angiogenesis inhibitors can improve ORR, PFS, and OS in patients with recurrent OC, but they can increase the incidence of AEs ≥ 3. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13048-022-01028-7.