Objectives:We aim to determine the benefits of ICT in OSCC therapy by performing a systematic review using the cumulative meta-analysis technique. Methods: A literature search identified for RCTs comparing OSCC patients who received ICT against those without. Log-hazard ratio, and relative risk were used for comparison. Heterogeneity was determined using the I2 statistic package. Data analysis was performed for endpoints including overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), locoregional recurrence (LRR) and distant metastasis (DM). Findings: 27 randomised trials were eligible for analysis (n = 2872 patients). The shortest median follow-up was 15 months whereas the longest was 11.5 years. ICT does not improve OS (HR = 0.947; 95% CI 0.85-1.05; P = 0.318), DFS (RR = 1.05; 95% CI 0.92-1.21; P = 0.462) and DM (RR = 0.626; CI 95% 0.361-1.086; P = 0.096) compared to locoregional treatment alone. However, there was a significant improvement to LRR (RR = 0.778; 95% CI 0.622-0.972; P = 0.027).
Conclusion:There is no evidence ICT improves survival outcomes for OSCC patients which can be effectively visualised through a cumulative meta-analysis approach. However, ICT reduces locoregional recurrence of OSCC, which may need further verification.http://dx.
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