Time to Surgery does not Affect Oncologic Outcomes in Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Aim: The authors conducted a meta-analysis to determine the association between time-to-surgery (TTS) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and patient outcomes in locally advanced gastric cancer. Methods: Electronic databases were searched to identify potential studies, in which the authors compared patient outcomes between those with TTS within 4 (and 6) weeks of completion of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and those after 4 (and 6) weeks. Results: Six studies, including 1238 patients, were eligible for inclusion. Pooled data showed no significant differences in rates of pathological complete response, major pathological response, ypN0, complications, R0 resection and operative time between groups of longer TTS and shorter TTS. Conclusion: There was no statistically advantageous impact of prolonged TTS on pathological and surgical outcomes. Large, population-based studies are warranted.

Keywords::

• gastric cancer
• neoadjuvant chemotherapy
• pathological complete response
• safety
• time-to-surgery

Supplementary data

To view the supplementary data that accompany this paper please visit the journal website at: www.tandfonline.com/doi/suppl/10.2217/fon-2022-1061

Author contributions

Z Liu: study concepts, study design, data acquisition, quality control of data and algorithms, data analysis and interpretation, statistical analysis, manuscript preparation, manuscript review. Z Zhang: data acquisition, quality control of data and algorithms, data analysis and interpretation, statistical analysis, manuscript preparation. H Liu: study concepts, study design, data acquisition, quality control of data and algorithms, manuscript preparation, manuscript review. J Chen: quality control of data and algorithms, manuscript preparation, manuscript review.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like thank to A Bausys for providing the necessary information on the exact pCR rate in his excellent study.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.