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Meta-analysis of incidence and risk of hypokalemia with cetuximab-based therapy for advanced cancer

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Abstract

Purpose

To gain a better understanding of the incidence and risk of hypokalemia in patients who received cetuximab-based therapy.

Patients and methods

Databases, including Pubmed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, annual meeting of American Society of Clinical Oncology (2000–2008), and Web of science were searched to identify relevant studies. Eligible studies were prospective phase II–III clinical trials of patients with cancer assigned cetuximab at the dose of 400 mg/m2 IV on day 1 and 250 mg/m2 weekly thereafter. The primary endpoint was incidence of hypokalemia.

Results

Eleven clinical reports were identified which included a total of 2,254 patients who were available for analysis, with 1,324 patients assigned cetuximab-based treatment. The results showed high incidence of grade 3 and 4 hypokalemia [6.2% (95% CI 4.9–7.7)] and high incidence of all-grade hypokalemia [8.0% (95% CI 4.5–13.9)] associated with cetuximab-based therapy for advanced cancer. Compared with non-cetuximab therapy, cetuximab-based therapy has higher risk of grade 3 and 4 hypokalemia [1.81 (95% CI 1.12–2.93)].

Conclusion

Cetuximab-based therapy is associated with a significant risk of hypokalemia. Early monitoring and effective management of hypokalemia is important for patients that received cetuximab-based therapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China

    Yunfei Cao, Lidan Liu, Cun Liao, Aihua Tan & Feng Gao

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  1. Yunfei Cao
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  2. Lidan Liu
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  3. Cun Liao
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  4. Aihua Tan
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  5. Feng Gao
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Correspondence to Feng Gao.

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Cao, Y., Liu, L., Liao, C. et al. Meta-analysis of incidence and risk of hypokalemia with cetuximab-based therapy for advanced cancer. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 66, 37–42 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00280-009-1131-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00280-009-1131-5

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