Pretreatment radiomics power in evaluating neoadjuvant chemotherapy response and outcome for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: This study conducted a meta-analysis of the evaluation value of radiomics in predicting induction chemotherapy (IC) response and prognosis of the patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). By using the method of radiomic to formulate individualized treatment plans for the patients with HNSCC, the survival rate of the patients could be improved while maintaining the normal physiological functions. Methods: : We systematically searched the relevant articles on radiomics predicting IC response and prognosis of the patients with HNSCC published before June 1, 2022. Meta-analysis was used to evaluate the power for radiomics in predicting the response and prognosis of patients with HNSCC to IC. Results: : A total of 16 articles with 8238 patients were included in the study. The predictive value of IC response in patients with HNSCC showed that the diagnostic AUC was 0.87 (0.83-0.89), the sensitivity was 0.85 (0.69-0.94), and the specificity was 0.77 (0.65-0.86). By using radiomics, patients were divided into high-risk group and low-risk group, IC was the protective factor in the high-risk group. The survival time of overall survival (OS) in IC group was 0.35 (95% CI: 0.25-0.49) compared with the non-IC group, the disease progression free survival time (PFS) was 0.38 (95% CI: 0.28-0.52), and the metastasis free survival time (DMFS) was 0.37 (95% CI: 0.26-0.53). Conclusions: : Radiomics has a good predictive ability for the response of patients with HNSCC to IC and the impact of prognosis. Radiomics will assist clinicians in making more individualized treatment decisions for patients with HNSCC.