What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to compare the efficacy of short-course radiotherapy versus long-course radiotherapy in combination with immunotherapy for pMMR rectal cancer.

March 16, 2026BMC Medicine2 citationsOpen Access

Comparative efficacy of neoadjuvant short-course versus long-course radiotherapy-based regimens with or without immunotherapy for locally advanced pMMR rectal cancer: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

LLLiqing LiGuangxi Medical University XMXiaoyao MengGuangxi Medical University QWQiaoyuan WuGuangxi Medical University

Key Points

This research aims to compare the efficacy of short-course radiotherapy versus long-course radiotherapy in combination with immunotherapy for pMMR rectal cancer.
Conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA)
Compared efficacy of different radiotherapy regimens
Evaluated outcomes with and without immunotherapy
Short-course radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy shows potential as a preferred treatment option
Results highlight the need for further phase III trials
Focus on long-term survival and organ preservation metrics

Abstract

This NMA suggests that the SCRT-based platform may be the preferred option to combine with immunotherapy in pMMR LARC. The results support direct comparison of these platforms in future phase III trials focused on long-term survival and organ preservation.

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