open access: Risk of venous and arterial thromboembolic events associated with anti-EGFR agents: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

summary: Risk of Venous and Arterial Thromboembolic Events Associated With Anti-EGFR Agents: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials - OncologySTAT

 

SUMMARY

OncologySTAT Editorial Team

"Venous and arterial thromboembolism events (VTEs and ATEs) are common in patients with cancer and are a frequent cause of mortality in these patients. Antiangiogenic agents that target vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), such as sunitinib, sorafenib, and bevacizumab, are associated with increased risk of VTEs and ATEs. Other drugs target the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), such as the monoclonal antibodies cetuximab and panitumumab, and the oral tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) erlotinib and gefitinib. This meta-analysis evaluated the risk of VTEs and ATEs associated with the anti-EGFR agents cetuximab, panitumumab, erlotinib, and gefitinib.
Medline and EMBASE were searched for randomized controlled phase II or III trials in which cetuximab, panitumumab, erlotinib, or gefitinib was used as treatment for patients with cancer....."