Meta-analysis shows percutaneous irreversible electroporation plus immunotherapy improves outcomes in locally advanced pancreatic cancer

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the efficacy and safety of percutaneous irreversible electroporation combined with immunotherapy compared with irreversible electroporation alone in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. METHODS: We systematically searched Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and PubMed/Medline for relevant studies. The outcomes of interest were progression-free survival, overall survival, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) levels, and adverse events. Progression-free survival and overall survival were assessed using pooled hazard ratios (HR), odds ratios (OR) were used for adverse events, and mean differences (MD) for CA 19-9. RESULTS: Four studies involving 310 patients were included in the pooled analysis. Irreversible electroporation combined with immunotherapy significantly prolonged progression-free survival compared with irreversible electroporation alone (hazard ratio [HR], 0.56; 95%CI=0.39 - 0.80; p<0.01; I2=10%). Additionally, patients who received irreversible electroporation plus immunotherapy achieved a greater overall survival compared with irreversible electroporation alone (HR=0.52; 95%CI=0.37 - 0.73; p<0.01; I2=0%). The pooled results for CA 19-9 showed significantly lower levels in patients receiving irreversible electroporation and immunotherapy compared with those receiving irreversible electroporation alone (MD: -70.18U/L; 95%CI=-121.07 - -19.29; p<0.01; I2=98%). No significant difference in the occurrence of adverse events such as nausea and vomiting (OR=1.58; 95%CI=0.71 - 3.49; p=0.26; I2=0%) and gastroparesis (OR=0.88; 95%CI=0.23 - 3.40; p=0.85; I2=0%) was not observed between the groups. CONCLUSION: Combined therapy using percutaneous irreversible electroporation and systemic immunotherapy offers a safe and effective treatment approach for locally advanced pancreatic cancer, with irreversible electroporation potentially enhancing the efficacy of systemic immunotherapy in combined applications. PROSPERO DATABASE REGISTRATION: ID CRD42024562216.