Mucositis with anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody in cancer patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Abstract

The mucositis of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibodies was poorly understood. We conducted this systematic review to fully investigate the mucositis of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibodies in cancer patients. EMBASE, MEDLINE and PubMed were searched for articles published till December 2017. The relevant randomized controlled trials in cancer patients treated with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibodies were retrieved and the systematic evaluation was conducted. Thirty-six randomized controlled trials and 15,364 patients were included. The current meta-analysis suggests that the use of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibodies significantly increases the risk of developing all-grade (RR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.24-1.77; P < 0.0001) and high-grade mucositis (RR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.61-2.89; P < 0.00001). The relative risk of high-grade mucositis tended to be higher in colorectal cancer patients than non-colorectal cancer patients. The available data suggested that the use of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibodies significantly increases the risk of developing mucositis. Physicians should be aware of mucositis and should monitor cancer patients when receiving anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibodies.