META-ANALYSIS OF EFFICACY OF NANOPARTICLE-BASED CHEMOTHERAPY COMPARED TO CONVENTIONAL CHEMOTHERAPY IN SOLID TUMORS

Background: Solid tumors remain a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. While conventional chemotherapy is widely used, it often suffers from systemic toxicity and limited tumor specificity. Nanoparticle-based chemotherapy has emerged as a novel strategy to overcome these limitations by enhancing drug delivery and reducing adverse effects. Objective: To systematically evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy and safety of nanoparticle-based chemotherapy versus conventional chemotherapy in the treatment of solid tumors. Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, incorporating 27 eligible clinical studies comprising 3,124 patients. Comparative outcomes included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and treatment-related toxicities. Data were pooled using random-effects models. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic. Publication bias was evaluated with Egger’s test. Results: Nanoparticle-based chemotherapy significantly improved OS (HR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.71–0.85, p < 0.001) and PFS (HR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.73–0.89, p < 0.001) compared to conventional chemotherapy. The pooled ORR was higher in the nanoparticle group (58.3% vs. 46.7%; OR: 1.62, p < 0.001). Grade ≥3 hematologic toxicities and peripheral neuropathy were lower in the nanoparticle group (29.6% vs. 33.8%, and 17.1% vs. 25.6%, respectively). Infusion-related reactions were slightly more frequent in the nanoparticle arm. Conclusion: Nanoparticle-based chemotherapy demonstrates superior efficacy and a more favorable safety profile compared to conventional chemotherapy in solid tumors. These findings support its growing role in modern oncologic practice and highlight the potential for nanomedicine to improve patient outcomes.