Objectives
To investigate the efficacy and safety of adding antiâepidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR] MoAbs to various chemotherapy regimens in patients with RAS wildâtype metastasized colorectal cancer (RAS WT metastatic colorectal cancer [mCRC]) and to identify the optimal combination regimens.
Methods
We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL from the inception date to 20th May 2019. Randomized clinical trials investigating chemotherapy with or without antiâEGFR MoAbs in treatment of patients with RAS WT mCRC were included.
Results
Eighteen studies involving 8848 participants were eligible. Comparing with oxaliplatinâbased chemotherapy, adding antiâEGFR MoAbs benefited only in progressionâfree survival (PFS) (hazard ratio [HR]Â =Â 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.67 to 0.94), but not in overall survival (OS) (HRÂ =Â 0.89, 95% CI: 0.78 to 1.02). Further sensitivity analysis indicated that adding antiâEGFR MoAbs to FOLFOLX regimen as a firstâline treatment showed benefits in both PFS and OS (PFS: HRÂ =Â 0.74, 95% CI: 0.64 to 0.84; OS: HRÂ =Â 0.83, 95% CI: 0.73 to 0.95, respectively). Comparing with irinotecanâbased chemotherapy or best supportive care, adding antiâEGFR MoAbs revealed an improvement in both PFS (HRÂ =Â 0.77, 95% CI: 0.69 to 0.86; HRÂ =Â 0.46, 95% CI: 0.40 to 0.54, respectively) and OS (HRÂ =Â 0.89, 95% CI: 0.80 to 0.98; HRÂ =Â 0.65, 95% CI: 0.54 to 0.78, respectively).
Conclusion
AntiâEGFR MoAbs as a monotherapy or in combination with either irinotecanâbased chemotherapy or FOLFOX in patients with RAS wildâtype mCRC have better response and survival outcome, whereas OS does not benefit from adding antiâEGFR MoAbs to another oxaliplatinâbased regimen. AntiâEGFR MoAbs have increased the risk of adverse effects than chemotherapy alone. More highâquality randomized controlled trials for RAS wild type are necessary.