Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics of overlapping meta-analyses based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which reported PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in non-small cell cancer (NSCLC).
METHODS: Meta-analyses were identified from English and Chinese databases until January 1, 2022. Differences in characteristics of overlapping meta-analyses that conducted in China and other countries were compared to assess their publication propensity. The corrected covered area (CCA) and coverage of relevant RCTs were analyzed for subtopics according to detailed intervention types. The waste and redundancy of evidence were assessed in the case of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor monotherapy for second-line treatment for NSCLC.
RESULTS: Fifty-nine meta-analyses published in English and 17 meta-analyses published in Chinese reporting 26 RCTs were identified. Fifty-three (69.74%) meta-analyses were conducted in China. The overlapping meta-analyses in China were more likely to be from hospitals, supported by government funding, integrate first and second-line therapies. Five of the six subtopics had overlapping meta-analyses according to specific types of interventions. The CCA of overlapping meta-analyses ranged from 33.33 to 63.19%, and the coverage of relevant RCTs ranged from 63.64 to 100%. All the conclusions of overlapping meta-analyses have been consistent in the subtopic of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor monotherapy for second-line treatment since 2017.
CONCLUSIONS: Overlapping meta-analyses of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in NSCLC hints that meta-analyses under this topic probably exist serious redundancy. Future research should focus on prospective registration of protocols for systematic reviews/meta-analyses, scientific designed PICO, and cumulative meta-analysis to reduce redundant and wasted studies. Journals should strengthen the requirement for reviewing previously published evidence in manuscript review.
METHODS: Meta-analyses were identified from English and Chinese databases until January 1, 2022. Differences in characteristics of overlapping meta-analyses that conducted in China and other countries were compared to assess their publication propensity. The corrected covered area (CCA) and coverage of relevant RCTs were analyzed for subtopics according to detailed intervention types. The waste and redundancy of evidence were assessed in the case of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor monotherapy for second-line treatment for NSCLC.
RESULTS: Fifty-nine meta-analyses published in English and 17 meta-analyses published in Chinese reporting 26 RCTs were identified. Fifty-three (69.74%) meta-analyses were conducted in China. The overlapping meta-analyses in China were more likely to be from hospitals, supported by government funding, integrate first and second-line therapies. Five of the six subtopics had overlapping meta-analyses according to specific types of interventions. The CCA of overlapping meta-analyses ranged from 33.33 to 63.19%, and the coverage of relevant RCTs ranged from 63.64 to 100%. All the conclusions of overlapping meta-analyses have been consistent in the subtopic of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor monotherapy for second-line treatment since 2017.
CONCLUSIONS: Overlapping meta-analyses of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in NSCLC hints that meta-analyses under this topic probably exist serious redundancy. Future research should focus on prospective registration of protocols for systematic reviews/meta-analyses, scientific designed PICO, and cumulative meta-analysis to reduce redundant and wasted studies. Journals should strengthen the requirement for reviewing previously published evidence in manuscript review.
摘要：
目的：分析基于报道PD-1/PD-L1抑制剂治疗非小细胞癌（NSCLC）的随机对照试验（RCTs）的重叠meta分析的特点。
方法：在2022年1月1日之前，从中文和英文数据库中进行Meta分析。比较了在中国和其他国家进行的重叠荟萃分析的特征差异，以评估其发表倾向。根据详细的干预类型，分析了子主题的校正覆盖面积（CCA）和相关RCT的覆盖范围。在PD-1/PD-L1抑制剂单药治疗NSCLC二线治疗的情况下，评估了证据的浪费和冗余。
结果：确定了59例以英文发表的meta分析和17例以中文发表的meta分析。在中国进行了53次(69.74%)荟萃分析。在中国，重叠的荟萃分析更有可能来自医院，在政府资助的支持下，整合一线和二线治疗。六个子主题中的五个根据特定类型的干预措施进行了重叠的荟萃分析。重叠荟萃分析的CCA范围为33.33％至63.19％，相关随机对照试验的覆盖率为63.64％至100％。自2017年以来，重叠荟萃分析的所有结论在PD-1/PD-L1抑制剂单药治疗二线治疗的子主题中都是一致的。
结论：NSCLC中PD-1/PD-L1抑制剂的重叠荟萃分析提示本专题下的荟萃分析可能存在严重冗余。未来的研究应该集中在前瞻性注册的协议进行系统评价/荟萃分析，科学设计的PICO，和累积荟萃分析，以减少冗余和浪费的研究。期刊应加强对稿件审查中以前发表的证据的审查要求。
方法：在2022年1月1日之前，从中文和英文数据库中进行Meta分析。比较了在中国和其他国家进行的重叠荟萃分析的特征差异，以评估其发表倾向。根据详细的干预类型，分析了子主题的校正覆盖面积（CCA）和相关RCT的覆盖范围。在PD-1/PD-L1抑制剂单药治疗NSCLC二线治疗的情况下，评估了证据的浪费和冗余。
结果：确定了59例以英文发表的meta分析和17例以中文发表的meta分析。在中国进行了53次(69.74%)荟萃分析。在中国，重叠的荟萃分析更有可能来自医院，在政府资助的支持下，整合一线和二线治疗。六个子主题中的五个根据特定类型的干预措施进行了重叠的荟萃分析。重叠荟萃分析的CCA范围为33.33％至63.19％，相关随机对照试验的覆盖率为63.64％至100％。自2017年以来，重叠荟萃分析的所有结论在PD-1/PD-L1抑制剂单药治疗二线治疗的子主题中都是一致的。
结论：NSCLC中PD-1/PD-L1抑制剂的重叠荟萃分析提示本专题下的荟萃分析可能存在严重冗余。未来的研究应该集中在前瞻性注册的协议进行系统评价/荟萃分析，科学设计的PICO，和累积荟萃分析，以减少冗余和浪费的研究。期刊应加强对稿件审查中以前发表的证据的审查要求。
