Efficacy and safety of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors plus chemotherapy ± bevacizumab for recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

What was studied

This meta-analysis looked at PD-1 and PD-L1 drugs added to chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab. Patients had cervical cancer that came back or spread. The team searched databases up to January 14, 2026. They pooled randomised trials. 2,242 patients were included.

What they found

1,131 got the combination. 1,111 got chemotherapy alone, with or without bevacizumab. Median overall survival was 28.7 months compared with 19.4. Median progression-free survival was 12.0 months compared with 8.7. Response rates were higher with the combination. Any-grade side effects did not differ. Grade 3 or higher side effects were more frequent with the combination.

What it means for patients

The authors say adding the drugs significantly improves overall and progression-free survival. They note a modest rise in high-grade toxicity.

Why it is not certain yet

Hazard ratios were rebuilt from published survival curves. Some patients also got bevacizumab and some did not. The abstract does not say how good the trials were. A meta-analysis can only be as good as the trials in it.

Source

Efficacy and safety of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors plus chemotherapy ± bevacizumab for recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

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