Oncology
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The present study evaluated the potential benefit of adding cetuximab to neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or palliative standard therapy for pancreatic cancer. ⋯ In the presence of no survival benefit, increased toxicity, and higher costs, a decreased cost-benefit ratio compared to the standard care must be suggested. Conducting further RCTs in unselected pancreatic cancer populations is unlikely to change this conclusion.
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Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Different Toxicity of Cetuximab and Panitumumab in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Over the last few years only one large randomized phase III study has tried to prospectively assess the safety of cetuximab and panitumumab in a head-to-head comparison. Despite the similar overall toxicity profile, cetuximab and panitumumab retain peculiar safety characteristics that deserve to be deeply investigated. ⋯ In conclusion, this meta-analysis shows that cetuximab- and panitumumab-based chemotherapy have different toxicity profiles in terms of the rate of severe adverse events.
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This study investigated the impact of specific mutations in codon 12 of the Kirsten-ras (KRAS) gene on treatment efficacy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). ⋯ The present analysis suggests that KRAS codon 12 mutation may not represent a homogeneous entity in mCRC when treated with cetuximab-based first-line therapy.
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Meta Analysis
Bevacizumab in the treatment of advanced, non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer: an evidence-based approach.
To assess the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab-containing regimens in the treatment of advanced, chemotherapy-naive, non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) on the basis of the two registrative trials [ECOG E4599 trial and BO17704 (AVAiL) trial]. ⋯ Adding bevacizumab to standard chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced, chemotherapy-naive, non-squamous NSCLC seems to favor a modest improvement in the main outcomes, with a significant worsening of the safety profile. These data suggest caution in the generalized use of bevacizumab-containing regimens in the treatment of advanced, chemotherapy-naive, non-squamous NSCLC.
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Review Meta Analysis
Risk of high-grade skin rash in cancer patients treated with cetuximab--an antibody against epidermal growth factor receptor: systemic review and meta-analysis.
Cetuximab, a chimeric antibody against epidermal growth factor receptor has emerged as an effective therapy for advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) and head-neck cancer. However, severe skin toxicity may limit its use. Its efficacy in the treatment of other cancers is also undergoing extensive investigation. We performed a systemic review and meta-analysis of published clinical trials to quantify the overall incidence and risk of severe skin rash. ⋯ Cancer patients who received cetuximab have a substantial risk of developing high-grade skin rash. The risk may be particularly increased in patients with CRC. Further studies are strongly recommended for the prevention and treatment of high-grade skin rash.