The Efficacy and Safety of Oncolytic Viruses in Treatment of Gliomas: A Meta-Analysis

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Oncolytic Viruses (OVs) in the treatment of gliomas. We searched the literature in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane library. The primary outcomes assessed were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and adverse events (AEs). The risk of bias evaluation was assessed by sensitivity analysis and publication bias. We identified 21 studies with 440 patients in this meta-analysis. In the single-arm analysis, the results showed that the 1-year OS rate was 47% (95% CI: 34%-61%, I ²  = 75%) and 2-year OS rate was 14% (95% CI: 10%-20%, I ²  = 0%). The pooled estimate of the median OS was 12.48 months (95% CI: 10.71–14.25, I ²  = 96%). The 1-year PFS rate was 13% (95% CI: 5%-24%, I ²  = 0%), with a pooled estimate of the median PFS was 4.01 months (95% CI: 2.99–45.03, I ²  = 96%). The pooled estimate of ORR was 7% (95% CI: 3%-12%, I ²  = 23%). Funnel plots for median PFS were asymmetric with Egger’s test P  < 0.01 indicating publication exists. The incidence of OVs-related AEs was 49% (95% CI: 20%-79%, I ²  = 95%), and AEs > grade 3 was 8% (95% CI: 3%-16%, I ²  = 62%). This meta-analysis indicated that OVs therapy was relatively safe but did not significantly extend survival in patients with gliomas.