Neoadjuvant immunotherapy versus chemoimmunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Worldwide, lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer morbidity and mortality. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 80 to 85% of all lung cancers. Recently, a few studies have reported the use of neoadjuvant immunotherapy or chemoimmunotherapy in NSCLC. However, no meta-analysis comparing neoadjuvant immunotherapy with chemoimmunotherapy has yet been reported. We perform a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant immunotherapy and chemoimmunotherapy in NSCLC. METHODS: The statement of preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols will be used as guidelines for reporting the present review protocol. Original clinical randomized controlled trials assessing the beneficial effects and safety of neoadjuvant immunotherapy and chemoimmunotherapy in NSCLC will be included. Databases searched include China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Scientific Journals Database, Wanfang Database, China Biological Medicine Database, PubMed, EMBASE Database, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Cochrane Collaboration’s tool is used to assess the risk of bias in included randomized controlled trials. All calculations are carried out with Stata 11.0 (The Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, UK). RESULTS: The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis will be publicly available and published in a peer-reviewed journal. CONCLUSION: This evidence will be useful to practitioners, patients, and health policy-makers regarding the use of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in NSCLC.