Adverse event profiles of epidermal growth factor receptor‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors in cancer patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

ABSTRACT: The efficacy of agents targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in patients with various cancers was well elucidated. However, the safety profile of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR‐TKIs) has not been systematically investigated. This meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the safety profile of EGFR‐TKIs in patients with cancer. A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library databases, ASCO, and ESMO abstracts were conducted. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared safety profile of EGFR‐TKIs with placebo were included. The end points included treatment‐related adverse events (AEs), treatment discontinuation, and toxic death. Twenty‐eight RCTs containing 17,800 patients were included. The analyses showed that the most frequently observed all‐grade AEs in patients treated with EGFR‐TKIs were diarrhea (53.7%), rash (48.6%), mucositis (46.5%), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased (38.9%), and skin reaction (35.2%). The most common high‐grade (grade ≥3) AEs were mucositis (14.8%), pain (8.2%,), metabolism and nutrition disorders (7.4%), diarrhea (6.2%), dyspnea (6.1%), and hypertension (6.1%). The incidence of serious AEs, treatment discontinuation, and toxic death due to AEs were 18.2%, 12.36%, and 3.0%, respectively. Pooled risk ratio (RR) showed that the use of EGFR‐TKIs was associated with an increased risk of developing AEs. Subgroup analysis indicated that the risk of AEs varied significantly according to tumor type, generation line, and drug type. Our meta‐analysis indicates EGFR‐TKIs was associated with a significant increased risk of a series of unique AEs. Early detection and proper management of AEs are important to reduce morbidity, avoid treatment discontinuation, and improve patient quality of life. STUDY HIGHLIGHTS: WHAT IS THE CURRENT KNOWLEDGE ON THE TOPIC? WHAT QUESTION DID THIS STUDY ADDRESS? WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD TO OUR KNOWLEDGE? HOW MIGHT THIS CHANGE CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY OR TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE? The integrated understanding of safety profile of EGFR‐TKIs will help in the future design of new EGFR‐TKIs with a better safety profile.