# Meta-analysis of clinical efficacy and safety of immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer

## TL;DR

This study finds that combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy improves survival and effectiveness in non-small cell lung cancer without increasing severe side effects.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is a meta-analysis showing combination therapy improves survival and response rates without more adverse effects.

## Key findings

- Combination treatment improved 1-year survival, response rate, and disease control compared to chemotherapy alone.
- No significant increase in adverse reactions was observed with the combination therapy.
- Immune markers CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ were higher in the combination group.

## Abstract

This study aimed to assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer.

A comprehensive search of studies published until January 2024 was conducted. Quality assessment was performed using the NOS scale, and a meta-analysis was carried out with RevMan 5.4.1 software. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Q-test, and combined effects were calculated with fixed or random effects models. Results were visualized using forest plots, and a sensitivity analysis was performed.

Out of 1,061 sources, 11 met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis indicated that the combination treatment significantly improved 1-year overall survival, objective response rate, and disease control rate compared to chemotherapy alone (P < 0.05), with no significant difference in adverse reactions (P > 0.05). Immune function markers CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ were higher, and CD8+ was lower in the combined treatment group. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability and reliability of the results (OR (95% CI) 3.72 (2.34–5.90), P < 0.00001), although publication bias was indicated by funnel plots.

The combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy exhibits the potential to enhance both survival rates and clinical effectiveness, without the concomitant rise in severe adverse reactions.