Treatment related severe and fatal adverse events with cetuximab in colorectal cancer patients: a meta-analysis. (June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Di; Ye, Junjie; Xu, Tangpeng; Xiong, Bin
• Is Part Of: Journal of chemotherapy. Volume 25:Number 3(2013:Jun.)
• Page Start: 170
• Page End: 175
• Publication Date: 2013-06
• Subjects: Cetuximab -- Adverse events -- Colorectal cancer; Chemotherapy -- Periodicals; Drug Therapy -- Periodicals; 615.58
• DOI: 10.1179/1973947813Y.0000000070
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1120-009X

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: Cetuximab has been approved by FDA for the treatment of advanced/metastatic colorectal cancer. Whether cetuximab treatment is associated with an increase of severe adverse events in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients remains a question. The purpose is to assess the risk of severe adverse events of cetuximab treatment in advanced/metastatic CRC patients. Patients and methods: Search of EMBASE, PubMed, and ScienceDirect between 1 January, 2000 and 1 July 2012 for relevant randomized control trials (RCTs). Previous meta-analyses related with cetuximab treatment were also identified for eligible RCTs. Eligible studies were RCTs of advanced/metastatic CRC patients assigned to cetuximab or control group. Data were extracted by two authors for severe and fatal adverse events. Results: Nine RCTs, involving 8520 patients with CRC were included. Using a fixed-effects model, the proportion of patients with severe adverse events was higher in the cetuximab group than in control group with Mantel–Haenszel methods (OR, 2·19; 95% CI, 1·99–2·41; incidence, 70·0% versus 51·2%; P <0·001). The most common severe adverse events were neutropenia, diarrhea, and rash. However, cetuximab was not associated with increased risk of fatal adverse events (OR, 1·41; 95% CI, 0·99–2·03; incidence, 1·8% versus. 1·3%). Conclusion: In this meta-analysis of RCTs, cetuximab was associated with an increased risk of severe adverse events. There is no evidence of an increased risk of fatal adverse events with cetuximab.