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Background: Thermal ablation has been increasingly used in the treatment of lung cancer in recent years. This meta-analysis aims to investigate the therapeutic effect and safety of thermal ablation plus chemotherapy as compared with chemotherapy alone in treating patients with lung malignancy in China based on current evidence. Methods: Databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched for clinical reports. Additional literature search was also performed by searching the reference list of included studies and latest reviews. Raw data including objective response rate, disease control rate, progression-free survival, overall survival and the incidence of major complication were extracted and pooled. Results: A total of 12 studies in China including 1282 patients with lung malignancy were included in this meta-analysis. The number of studies that reported data of objective response rate, disease control rate, progression-free survival, overall survival and major complication was 8, 7, 7, 6 and 7, respectively. The combination therapy of thermal ablation plus chemotherapy showed a significantly better efficacy in improving objective response rate (odds ratio = 2.73; P < 0.001) and disease control rate (odds ratio = 2.43; P < 0.001) as compared with chemotherapy alone. Thermal ablation was also a significant protective factor for progression-free survival (hazard ratio = 0.43; P < 0.001) and overall survival (hazard ratio = 0.49; P < 0.001). Besides, thermal ablation did not increase the risk of major complication (odds ratio = 0.75; P = 0.252). Conclusion: The present meta-analysis based on these studies in China suggested that thermal ablation is a promising technique to provide better disease response and survival outcomes for patients with lung malignancy. Thermal ablation is worth further promotion in treating lung malignancy and application in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgery remains the first choice of cure for early stage lung cancer. However, many patients are diagnosed at advanced stage, and thus miss the opportunity to undergo surgery. As such patients derive limited benefits from chemotherapy or radiotherapy, alternatives focusing on local control have emerged, including iodine‐125 seed implantation. The Interstitial Brachytherapy Society, Committee of Minimally Invasive Therapy in Oncology, Chinese Anti‐Cancer Association organized a group of multidisciplinary experts to develop guidelines for this treatment modality. These guidelines aim to standardize iodine‐125 seed implantation procedures, inclusion criteria, and outcome assessment to prevent and manage procedure‐related complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgery remains the first option for curing early stage lung cancer. However, many patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, and thus miss the chance to undergo surgery. As such patients derive limited benefits from chemotherapy or radiotherapy, alternatives based on local control have emerged, including iodine-125 seed implantation. The Interstitial Brachytherapy Society, Committee of Minimally Invasive Therapy in Oncology, the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association organized a group of multidisciplinary experts to revise the guidelines for this treatment modality. It aims to standardize iodine-125 seed implantation procedures, inclusion criteria, and outcome assessment to prevent and manage procedure-related complications., Competing Interests: None