Publications : 2020

Bylsma LC, Dean R, Lowe K, Sangare L, Alexander D, Fryzek J. The incidence of infusion reactions associated with monoclonal antibody drugs targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor in metastatic colorectal cancer patients: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of patient and study characteristics. Poster for Society of Toxicology, Virtual Annual Meeting, 2020.

Abstract

Infusion reactions have been reported in studies of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients treated with anti-EGFR therapies, including cetuximab and panitumumab, with incidences ranging from 0-33%. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis were conducted to estimate the incidence of infusion reactions in this population and identify variations in this incidence by patient and study characteristics. Multiple scientific databases were searched to identify observational studies or clinical trials of mCRC patients treated with anti-EGFR therapies that reported rates of infusion reactions, hypersensitivity, or allergy/anaphylaxis. Random effects models were used to meta-analyze the incidence of infusion reactions overall and stratified by therapy, study design, geographic location, KRAS mutation status, and grade of reaction severity. Among 48 studies included in this meta-analysis, the pooled estimate for infusion reaction incidence was 0.049 (95% CI: 0.036 – 0.065), or nearly 5%. Reactions of grades 1 or 2 were more common than reactions of grades 3-5 (0.089 vs. 0.028) No significant variations in infusion reaction incidence were observed by study design, KRAS status, or study location. Infusion reactions occur in approximately 5% of mCRC patients treated with anti-EGFR therapies and the incidence varies significantly by grade and severity. Future studies should consider investigating survival outcomes for only those patients with infusion reactions to determine its prognostic relevance.