Concurrent weekly single cisplatin vs triweekly cisplatin alone with radiotherapy for treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer: a meta-analysis

Background: Radiotherapy (RT) concurrent with cisplatin (CDDP) is the standard regimen used for treatment of locally advanced cervical carcinoma. In this meta-analysis, we compared the weekly and triweekly single CDDP concomitant chemoradiation regimens for treatment of cervical cancer with respect to compliance, recurrence, survival, and acute adverse effects.

Materials and methods: A systematic search for relevant studies was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Medline databases. Fixed- or random-effects model was used for pooled analysis. The end points were overall survival, recurrence, compliance, and acute adverse effect reported as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs.

Results: Six randomized trials and two retrospective studies qualified the inclusion criteria. The regimen of triweekly CDDP alone concurrent with RT showed better compliance (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.29-0.83; P=0.009). No significant difference was observed between the 2 arms with respect to recurrence, survival, and acute adverse effects (all P>0.05). However, triweekly CDDP regimen was associated with significantly lower incidence of local recurrence (OR, 1.83; 95% CI: 1.12-3.01; P=0.02), while weekly CDDP regimen was associated with a lower risk of leucopenia (OR, 0.30; 95% CI: 0.10-0.92; P=0.03).

Conclusion: Triweekly single platinum chemotherapy plus concurrent RT was superior to weekly CDDP regimen with respect to local recurrence and treatment compliance in patients with locally advanced cervical carcinoma.