J Cancer 2018; 9(23):4510-4520. doi:10.7150/jca.27611 This issue Cite

Research Paper

The Efficacy and Safety of Anti-epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Monoclonal Antibodies in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Literature-based Meta-analyses

Liang Peng1*, Ze-Long Liu2*, Cheng Xu1*, Ling-Long Tang1, Xu Liu1, Ai-Hua Lin3, Ying Sun1, Yu-Pei Chen1✉, Jun Ma1✉

1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Centre; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Centre of Cancer Medicine; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangzhou, China
2. Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Centre; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Centre of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
3. Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
* These authors contributed equally to this work.

Citation:
Peng L, Liu ZL, Xu C, Tang LL, Liu X, Lin AH, Sun Y, Chen YP, Ma J. The Efficacy and Safety of Anti-epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Monoclonal Antibodies in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Literature-based Meta-analyses. J Cancer 2018; 9(23):4510-4520. doi:10.7150/jca.27611. https://www.jcancer.org/v09p4510.htm
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Abstract

Background: Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibodies (anti-EGFR mAbs), such as cetuximab and nimotuzumab have been used in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), yet their efficacy and safety are undetermined.

Materials and Methods: We performed two meta-analyses based on systematic searches of PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and SinoMed: comparison 1 (standard therapy plus mAbs vs. standard therapy) and comparison 2 (radiotherapy plus concurrent mAbs vs. concurrent chemoradiotherapy) to explore the treatment value of anti-EGFR mAbs in NPC. Primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS); secondary outcomes, locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) and grade 3 and above acute adverse events.

Results: Four randomized controlled trials and thirteen observational studies were eligible. Comparison 1 (twelve studies): adding mAbs to standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) significantly improved OS (HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.39-0.66) and DFS (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54-0.86), but increased the frequency of skin rashes and mucositis. Comparison 2 (six studies): OS (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.81-1.70) and DFS (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.86-1.57) were not significantly different when mAbs replaced conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy concurrently with radiotherapy, with fewer hematological, gastrointestinal and renal toxicities and more skin rashes in the mAb group.

Conclusion: We recommend anti-EGFR mAbs enhance—but should not replace—current treatment paradigms for locoregionally advanced NPC. Further evidence from phase III clinical trials is required.

Keywords: nasopharyngeal carcinoma, anti-epidermal growth factor receptor, cetuximab, nimotuzumab, meta-analysis


Citation styles

APA
Peng, L., Liu, Z.L., Xu, C., Tang, L.L., Liu, X., Lin, A.H., Sun, Y., Chen, Y.P., Ma, J. (2018). The Efficacy and Safety of Anti-epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Monoclonal Antibodies in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Literature-based Meta-analyses. Journal of Cancer, 9(23), 4510-4520. https://doi.org/10.7150/jca.27611.

ACS
Peng, L.; Liu, Z.L.; Xu, C.; Tang, L.L.; Liu, X.; Lin, A.H.; Sun, Y.; Chen, Y.P.; Ma, J. The Efficacy and Safety of Anti-epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Monoclonal Antibodies in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Literature-based Meta-analyses. J. Cancer 2018, 9 (23), 4510-4520. DOI: 10.7150/jca.27611.

NLM
Peng L, Liu ZL, Xu C, Tang LL, Liu X, Lin AH, Sun Y, Chen YP, Ma J. The Efficacy and Safety of Anti-epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Monoclonal Antibodies in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Literature-based Meta-analyses. J Cancer 2018; 9(23):4510-4520. doi:10.7150/jca.27611. https://www.jcancer.org/v09p4510.htm

CSE
Peng L, Liu ZL, Xu C, Tang LL, Liu X, Lin AH, Sun Y, Chen YP, Ma J. 2018. The Efficacy and Safety of Anti-epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Monoclonal Antibodies in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Literature-based Meta-analyses. J Cancer. 9(23):4510-4520.

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