Efficacy and safety of octreotide in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis

Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of octreotide in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma( HCC).Methods Online databases including Pub Med,Cochrane Library,Embase,China National Knowledge Internet,Wanfang Data,and China Science and Technology Journal Database were comprehensively searched for relevant randomized controlled trials( RCTs) of octreotide in the treatment of HCC. The quality of included studies was assessed using the method recommended by the Cochrane handbook for systematic review. A meta- analysis was performed by using Rev Man 5. 3. 4 software. Results Eleven RCTs were included,which involved 909 cases( treatment group,452 cases; control group,457 cases). As for clinical efficacy,octreotide significantly increased the response rate( RR =2. 30,95% CI: 1. 25 ~ 4. 22,P = 0. 007) and decreased the progression rate( RR = 0. 78,95% CI: 0. 59 ~ 1. 04,P = 0. 09),but there was no significant difference in disease control rate and progression rate between the two groups( P > 0. 05). The overall survival rate and6- month,1- year,and 2- year survival rates in the treatment group were not significantly higher than those of the control group( all P >0. 05). As regards to safety,severe adverse events in the treatment group were significantly reduced( RR = 0. 72,95% CI: 0. 54 ~ 0. 98,P= 0. 03),but there were no significant differences in diarrhea,nausea / vomiting,liver function abnormality,and blood glucose fluctuation between the two groups( all P > 0. 05). Conclusion For HCC patients,octreotide can significantly increase the clinical response rate incidence of grade 3 /4 adverse events,but it does not lead to significant improvement in disease progression and survival rate.