Anti-EGFR–Based Treatment of Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Data from the National Oncology Institute of Panama

Abstract

Treatments directed against EGFR, such as anti-VEGF monoclonal antibodies (bevacizumab) and anti-EGFR cetuximab or panitumumab, improve clinical outcomes in terms of overall survival and disease-free survival when combined with first-line chemotherapy treatments for metastatic colon cancer. <i>Aims.</i> To determine the epidemiological, clinical, and survival-related variables associated with the treatment of KRAS wild-type metastatic colon cancer with anti-EGFR agents in our institution. <i>Patients & methods.</i> We performed a retrospective review of the electronic files of patients with KRAS wild-type metastatic colon cancer treated with cetuximab between 2014 and 2019. <i>Results.</i> 169 patients diagnosed with metastatic Colorectal Cancer RAS WT receiving anti-EGFR treatment. The median age was 65 years, with 54% male. 91% with ECOG 0 – 1. KRAS test was performed to 100% of patients. 70% had a tumor on the left side of the colon. Objective response was 4.8%. The median PFS was 3 months and median OS was 5 months. Only the use of combined schemes such as FOLFIRI with cetuximab and exposure to cetuximab in some lines of treatment were shown to be significant prognostic factors for PFS, compared with those who did not receive it. Rash G1-2 was the most common adverse event. <i>Conclusions.</i> the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of our patients are like the world literature, however, the PFS and OS reached are lower than expected as well as adverse events registered. Most of the patients received anti-EGFR treatment in second line. These results allowed us to propose anti-EGFR treatment in colorectal cancer from the front line at the National Oncology Institute.