Low skeletal muscle mass is a predictor of treatment related toxicity in oncologic patients. A meta-analysis.

Background & Aims: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to summarize the published data regarding associations between occurrence of severe treatment related toxicity and low skeletal muscle mass (LSMM) in oncologic patients and to perform a meta-analysis based on a large sample.

Methods: MEDLINE, Cochrane, and SCOPUS databases were screened for associations between LSMM and treatment related toxicity in oncologic patients up to June 2021. Overall, 48 studies met the inclusion criteria. The following data were extracted: authors, year of publication, study design, number of patients, influence of LSMM on treatment toxicity (odds ratios and confidence intervals). The methodological quality of the involved studies was checked according to the QUADAS instrument. The meta-analysis was undertaken by using RevMan 5.4 software. DerSimonian and Laird random-effects models with inverse-variance weights were used to account for the heterogeneity between the studies.

Results: The included 48 studies comprised 4803 patients with different malignant diseases. LSMM occurred in 1966 patients (40.9%). LSMM was associated with therapy toxicity (simple logistic regression) with an odds ratio OR = 2.19, CI95%= (1.78-2.68). LSMM was associated with DLT in patients underwent curative treatment (16 studies, 2381 patients) with OR = 2.48, CI95%= (1.77-3.48). LSMM predicted DLT in patients underwent palliative chemotherapy (30 studies, 2337 patients)with OR = 2.06, CI95%= (1.56-2.74). In the subgroups received different palliative therapies, relationships between LSMM and DLT were as follows: conventional chemotherapies (7 studies, 600 patients) OR = 2.14, CI95%= (1.38-3.31); different kinases inhibitors (13 studies, 906 patients) OR = 3.08, CI95%= (1.87-5.09); checkpoint inhibitors (7 studies, 557 patients) OR = 1.30, CI95%= (0.79-2.11).

Conclusions: LSMM is an essential factor of treatment toxicity in oncologic patients. Association between LSMM and DLT is strongest in patients received therapy with kinases inhibitors. The influence of LSMM on DLT is lowest in patients underwent treatment with checkpoint inhibitors. The presence of LSMM should be included into radiological reports and provided to oncologists to optimize chemotherapy. LSMM should be included into dose calculation for chemotherapy.