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Transfusion use and effect on progression-free, overall survival, and quality of life in upfront treatment of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: evaluation of the European Organization for Research and Treatment EORTC-55971 Cohort
Prescott LS, Vergote I, Sun CC, Bodurka DC, Coleman RL
International journal of gynecological cancer : official journal of the International Gynecological Cancer Society. 2022
Abstract
BACKGROUND The impact of blood transfusion on ovarian cancer survival is uncertain. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether peri-operative blood transfusion negatively impacted progression-free survival, overall survival, and quality of life in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. METHODS We performed an ancillary analysis of the European Organization for Research and Treatment (EORTC) 55971 phase III trial, in which patients were randomized to primary debulking surgery versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Patients included in the per-protocol analysis were categorized by receipt of a transfusion. RESULTS 612 of 632 (97%) of patients had adequate data for analysis. Of those, 323 (53%) received a transfusion. The transfusion cohort was more likely to have had better Word Health Organization (WHO) performance status, serous histology, undergone primary debulking surgery, and received more aggressive surgery, with higher rates of no gross residual disease. Median overall survival was 34.0 vs 35.2 months in the no transfusion and transfusion cohorts (p=0.97). The adjusted HR for death was 1.18 (95% CI 0.94 to 1.48) in favor of the transfusion cohort. Median progression-free survival was 13.6 vs 12.6 months in the no transfusion and transfusion cohorts (p=0.96). The adjusted HR for progression was 1.14 (95% CI 0.91 to 1.43). There were no significant differences in global quality of life, fatigue, dyspnea, or physical functioning between the two cohorts at baseline or at any of the four assessment times. Grade 3 and 4 surgical site infections were more common in the transfusion cohort. CONCLUSION Transfusion did not negatively impact progression-free survival or overall survival; however, it was associated with increased peri-operative morbidity without improvements in quality of life.
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The impact of red blood cell transfusion on mortality and treatment efficacy in patients treated with radiation: A systematic review
Deschner M, Vasanthamohan L, Zayed S, Lazo-Langner A, Palma D, D'Souza D, Omar Gilani S, Gabriel Boldt R, Solh Z
Clinical and translational radiation oncology. 2022;33:23-29
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Packed red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is frequently used in patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) because retrospective data suggest that anemic patients may respond sub-optimally to RT. No high-quality evidence currently exists to guide transfusion practices and establish hemoglobin (Hb) transfusion thresholds for this patient population, and practice varies significantly across centers. This systematic review investigated whether maintaining higher Hb via transfusion in radiation oncology patients leads to improved outcomes. METHODS We performed a literature search of studies comparing RBC transfusion thresholds in radiation oncology patients. Included studies assessed patients receiving RT for malignancy of any diagnosis or stage. Excluded studies did not evaluate Hb or transfusion as an intervention or outcome. The primary outcome was overall survival. Secondary outcomes included locoregional control, number of transfusions and adverse events. RESULTS One study met inclusion criteria. The study pooled results from two randomized controlled trials that stratified anemic patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma to RBC transfusion versus no transfusion. The study found no significant differences in overall survival or locoregional control after five years, despite increased Hb levels in the transfused group. We conducted a narrative review by extracting data from 10 non-comparative studies involving transfusion in patients receiving RT. Results demonstrated no consistent conclusions regarding whether transfusions improve or worsen outcomes. CONCLUSIONS There is a lack of data on the effects of RBC transfusion on outcomes in patients undergoing RT. Well-designed prospective studies are needed in this area.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients undergoing radiotherapy (11 studies).
Intervention
Red blood cell transfusion.
Comparison
No transfusion.
Outcome
Only one study met the inclusion criteria which pooled results from two randomized controlled trials (DAHANCA 5 and 7). The study found no significant differences in overall survival or locoregional control after five years, despite increased haemoglobin levels in the transfused group (n= 235) vs. no transfused group (n= 230). A narrative review was conducted by extracting data from 10 other non-comparative studies involving transfusion in patients receiving radiotherapy. There were no consistent conclusions from these 10 studies on whether transfusions improve or worsen outcomes.
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Red blood cell transfusions and the survival in patients with cancer undergoing curative surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Petrelli F, Ghidini M, Ghidini A, Sgroi G, Vavassori I, Petrò D, Cabiddu M, Aiolfi A, Bonitta G, Zaniboni A, et al
Surgery today. 2021
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Allogenic red blood cell transfusions exert a potential detrimental effect on the survival when delivered to cancer patients undergoing surgery with curative intent. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the association between perioperative allogenic red blood cell transfusions and risk of death as well as relapse after surgery for localized solid tumors. PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE were searched from inception to March 2019 for studies reporting the outcome of patients receiving transfusions during radical surgery for non-metastatic cancer. Risk of death and relapse were pooled to provide an adjusted hazard ratio with a 95% confidence interval [hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval {CI})]. Mortality and relapse associated with perioperative transfusion due to cancer surgery were evaluated among participants (n = 123 studies). Overall, RBC transfusions were associated with an increased risk of death [HR = 1.50 (95% CI 1.42-1.57), p < 0.01] and relapse [HR = 1.36 (95% CI 1.26-1.46), p < 0.01]. The survival was reduced even in cancer at early stages [HR = 1.45 (1.36-1.55), p < 0.01]. In cancer patients undergoing surgery, red blood cell transfusions reduced the survival and increased the risk of relapse. Transfusions based on patients' blood management policy should be performed by applying a more restrictive policy, and the planned preoperative administration of iron, if necessary, should be pursued.
PICO Summary
Population
Cancer patients undergoing surgery for localized solid tumours requiring intra- or perioperative blood transfusion (123 studies, n= 184,190).
Intervention
Systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the association between perioperative allogenic red blood cell transfusions and risk of death as well as relapse after surgery.
Comparison
No transfusion.
Outcome
Overall, red blood cell transfusions were associated with an increased risk of death [HR = 1.50] and relapse [HR = 1.36]. The survival was reduced even in cancer at early stages [HR = 1.45].
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Efficacy of Different Interventions to Reduce Pre- or Perioperative Blood Transfusion Rate in Patients with Colorectal Cancer: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Hung CM, Chen JJ, Zeng BY, Zeng BS, Chen YW, Suen MW, Wu MK, Tseng PT
Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.). 2021;28(4):3214-3226
Abstract
BACKGROUND The high proportion of blood transfusions before and during surgery carries unnecessary risk and results in poor prognosis in colorectal cancer patients. Different pharmacological interventions (i.e., iron supplement or recombinant erythropoietin) to reduce blood transfusion rates have shown inconclusive results. METHODS This network meta-analysis (NMA) consisted of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy of different pharmacologic interventions (i.e., iron supplementation or recombinant erythropoietin) to reduce the blood transfusion rate. NMA statistics were conducted using the frequentist model. Results: Seven RCTs (688 participants) were included in this study. The NMA demonstrated that the combination of high-dose recombinant human erythropoietin and oral iron supplements was associated with the least probability of receiving a blood transfusion [odds ratio = 0.24, 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs): 0.08 to 0.73] and best reduced the amount of blood transfused if blood transfusion was necessary (mean difference = -2.62 U, 95% CI: -3.55 to -1.70 U) when compared to the placebo/control group. None of the investigated interventions were associated with any significantly different dropout rate compared to the placebo/control group. CONCLUSIONS The combination of high-dose recombinant human erythropoietin and oral iron supplements might be considered as a choice for reducing the rate of blood transfusion in patients with colorectal cancer. However, future large-scale RCT with long-term follow-up should be warranted to approve the long-term safety.
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Blood transfusions may adversely affect survival outcomes of patients with lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Cho S, Park J, Lee M, Lee D, Choi H, Gim G, Kim L, Kang CY, Oh Y, Viveiros P, et al
Translational lung cancer research. 2021;10(4):1700-1710
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite common use in clinical practice, the impact of blood transfusions on prognosis among patients with lung cancer remains unclear. The purpose of the current study is to perform an updated systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the influence of blood transfusions on survival outcomes of lung cancer patients. METHODS We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Ovid MEDLINE for publications illustrating the association between blood transfusions and prognosis among people with lung cancer from inception to November 2019. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were the outcomes of interest. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using the random-effects model. Study heterogeneity was evaluated with the I(2) test. Publication bias was explored via funnel plot and trim-and-fill analyses. RESULTS We included 23 cohort studies with 12,175 patients (3,027 cases and 9,148 controls) for meta-analysis. Among these records, 22 studies investigated the effect of perioperative transfusions, while one examined that of transfusions during chemotherapy. Two studies suggested the possible dose-dependent effect in accordance with the number of transfused units. In pooled analyses, blood transfusions deleteriously influenced both OS (HR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.14-1.61, P<0.001, I(2)=0%) and DFS (HR=1.46, 95% CI: 1.15-1.86, P=0.001, I(2)=0%) of people with lung cancer. No evidence of significant publication bias was detected in funnel plot and trim-and-fill analyses (OS: HR=1.26, 95% CI: 1.07-1.49, P=0.006; DFS: HR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.08-1.69, P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS Blood transfusions were associated with decreased survival of patients with lung cancer.
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Restrictive versus liberal transfusion strategies in patients with malignant neoplasm -a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Yang XX, Dai XC, Liu CX, Lu JH, Lin SY
Transfus Apher Sci. 2020;:102825
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transfusion strategies are involving the survival and prognosis of patients with malignant neoplasm and the rational utilization of medical resources, but there are still controversy between different transfusion strategies. The aim of this article is to compare the benefit and harm of restrictive and liberal red blood cell (RBC) transfusion strategies in patients with malignant tumors. METHODS We searched articles in the databases of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase and major conference proceedings, identified all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and compared restrictive transfusion strategies with those that are liberal until MARCH 18, 2019. We used risk ratio (RR) and and 95 % confidence interval (95 %CI) to calculate the results of dichotomous variables, and the study heterogeneity was assessed by using the I(2) statistics. Also, we did sensitivity analysis and quality assessment. RESULTS Restrictive transfusion policies appear to have no effect on all-cause mortality (RR 1.33; 95 % CI 0.74-2.38; P = 0.34), compared with liberal policies. 2 trials including 498 patients were included of renal replacement therapy (RR 1.38; 95 % CI, 0.73-2.59; P = 0.32; I(2) = 0%). Myocardial infarction (RR 1.17; 95 % CI, 0.33-4.1; P = 0.81; I(2) = 0%) and ICU readmission were also mentioned in these articles (RR 1.19; 95 % CI, 0.7-2.04; P = 0.52; I(2) = 0%). However, the RR of hospital length can't be evaluated. CONCLUSION Restrictive transfusion strategies were not associated with all-cause mortality and other clinical outcomes in malignant tumors, and may be more suitable for patients' quality of life and medical economy than liberal.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients with malignant tumours (3 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) n= 587).
Intervention
Restrictive red blood cell transfusion strategy (n= 311).
Comparison
Liberal red blood cell transfusion strategy (n= 276).
Outcome
Restrictive transfusion strategies were not associated with all-cause mortality and other clinical outcomes in malignant tumours. Secondary outcomes reported included incidence of renal replacement therapy (2 RCTs, n=498; RR 1.38), myocardial infarction (RR 1.17) and intensive care unit readmission (RR 1.19).
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Perioperative blood transfusion and ovarian cancer survival rates: A meta-analysis based on univariate, multivariate and propensity score matched data
Pergialiotis V, Thomakos N, Frountzas M, Haidopoulos D, Loutradis D, Rodolakis A
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2020;252:137-143
Abstract
The negative impact of perioperative blood transfusion on survival outcomes has been reported in several cancer types. The purpose of the present study is to summarize existing evidence in ovarian cancer patients. We searched the Medline, Scopus, http://clinicaltrials.gov/ EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials CENTRAL and Google Scholar databases for observational and randomized trials that assessed the impact of perioperative blood transfusion on the disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of ovarian cancer patients that undergone debulking surgery were selected for inclusion. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed by using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Statistical meta-analysis was performed with the RevMan 5.3 software using the Der-Simonian Laird random effects model. Seven studies were identified which included 2341 ovarian cancer patients. Meta-analyses that were based on univariate and multivariate reporting revealed that perioperative blood transfusion had a significant negative impact on the patient`s OS rates (OR 1.78, 95 %CI 1.16, 2.74 and OR 1.31, 95 %CI 1.00, 1.71 respectively). Disease free survival rates were also influenced according to the results of the univariate analysis (OR 1.58, 95 %CI 1.14, 2.19), however, the effect was not significant in the multivariate analysis. The analysis that was based on propensity score matched populations did not reveal differences among transfused and non-transfused. Concluding, the findings of our meta-analysis suggest that transfusion of blood products during the perioperative period is not an independent factor that may affect survival outcomes of ovarian cancer patients. Nevertheless, it should be noted that patients that receive transfusion have several potential confounders that may affect their survival outcomes.
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Survival analysis of intraoperative blood salvage for patients with malignancy disease: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis
Wu WW, Zhang WY, Zhang WH, Yang L, Deng XQ, Ou MC, Yang YX, Liu HB, Zhu T
Medicine. 2019;98(27):e16040
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intraoperative blood salvage as a blood-saving strategy has been widely used in surgery. Considering its theoretic risk of malignant tumor cells being reinfused and the corresponding blood metastases, the safety of intraoperative blood salvage in cancer surgery remains controversial. METHODS Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA), we searched the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and EMBASE to November 2017. We included only studies comparing intraoperative blood salvage with allogeneic blood transfusion. RESULTS This meta-analysis included 9 studies with 4354 patients with 1346 patients in the intraoperative blood salvage group and 3008 patients in the allogeneic blood transfusion group. There were no significant differences in the 5-year overall survival outcome (odds ratio [OR] 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80-1.58), 5-year disease-free survival outcome (OR 1.08; 95% CI 0.86-1.35), or 5-year recurrence rate (OR 0.86; 95% CI 0.71-1.05) between the 2 study groups. Subgroup analysis also showed no significant differences in the 5-year overall survival outcome (OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.57-1.67) of hepatocellular carcinoma patients in liver transplantation. CONCLUSIONS For patients with malignant disease, intraoperative blood salvage did not increase the tumor recurrence rate and had comparable survival outcomes with allogeneic blood transfusion.
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Perioperative transfusion and the prognosis of colorectal cancer surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Pang QY, An R, Liu HL
World journal of surgical oncology. 2019;17(1):7
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perioperative transfusion can reduce the survival rate in colorectal cancer patients. The effects of transfusion on the short- and long-term prognoses are becoming intriguing. OBJECTIVE This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to define the effects of perioperative transfusion on the short- and long-term prognoses of colorectal cancer surgery. RESULTS Thirty-six clinical observational studies, with a total of 174,036 patients, were included. Perioperative transfusion decreased overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio (HR), 0.33; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.24 to 0.41; P < 0.0001) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) (HR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.47; P < 0.0001), but had no effect on disease-free survival (DFS) (HR, 0.17; 95% CI, - 0.12 to 0.47; P = 0.248). Transfusion could increase postoperative infectious complications (RR, 1.89, 95% CI, 1.56 to 2.28; P < 0.0001), pulmonary complications (RR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.54 to 2.63; P < 0.0001), cardiac complications (RR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.75 to 2.76; P < 0.0001), anastomotic complications (RR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.29 to 1.79; P < 0.0001), reoperation(RR, 2.88; 95% CI, 2.05 to 4.05; P < 0.0001), and general complications (RR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.66 to 2.07; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Perioperative transfusion causes a dramatically negative effect on long-term prognosis and increases short-term complications after colorectal cancer surgery.
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Perioperative blood transfusion affects oncologic outcomes after nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Iwata T, Kimura S, Foerster B, Abufaraj M, Karakiewicz PI, Preisser F, Nasu Y, Shariat SF
Urologic oncology. 2019
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the association of perioperative blood transfusion (PBT) with oncologic outcomes in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to clarify the long-term oncologic effect of PBT in patients undergoing nephrectomy for RCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS We searched the MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Scopus on 15th April 2018 to identify studies that compared patients who received PBT undergoing radical or partial nephrectomy for RCC to patients who did not with the aim of evaluating its impact on overall mortality (OM), cancer-specific mortality (CSM) and disease recurrence using multivariable cox regression analysis. RESULTS A total of 19,681 patients in 7 studies matched the selection criteria for the systematic review and meta-analysis. All 7 studies were retrospective design and published between 1994 and 2018. Our study included low quality of eligible studies due to their retrospective design and showed a significant heterogeneity. PBT was associated with OM (pooled hazard ratio [HR], 1.49, 1.24-1.78), CSM (pooled HR, 1.46, 1.20-1.77), and disease recurrence (pooled HR, 1.80, 1.03-3.12). In a subgroup analysis of 3,664 patients with nonmetastatic RCC, PBT was remained associated with OM (pooled HR, 1.91; 1.06-3.41), but not anymore with CSM (pooled HR, 1.92, 0.94-3.91) or disease recurrence (pooled HR, 2.18, 0.86-5.55). CONCLUSIONS PBT in patients undergoing nephrectomy for RCC is associated with worse overall survival. While PBT may be reflective of the underlying aggressiveness of the disease, it could be that its detrimental effect on outcomes is caused by its negative effect on the host's resilience.
