In a nutshell
This study investigated the association between the tumor side and cetuximab (Erbitux) effectiveness in metastatic (spread to other parts of the body) colorectal cancer. Researchers reported that cetuximab was more effective in left-sided tumors.
Some background
Left and right- sided colorectal cancer have different characteristics. Prior studies have shown an association between left-side tumors and improved efficacy of cetuximab treatment. However, these studies investigated only Western populations. The association between the tumor site and cetuximab efficacy in other populations, such as Asian, is yet to be determined.
Methods & findings
The objective of this study was to investigate the association between the tumor site and cetuximab effectiveness in metastatic colorectal cancer patients. 969 Taiwanese patients were included. These patients were already treated with chemotherapy and received cetuximab has a third-line treatment. Overall survival (OS; time from treatment to death by any cause) and treatment discontinuation (TTD; time from treatment initiation to stop treatment or death) were measured.
99.2% patients were treated with cetuximab combined with chemotherapy. The follow-up time was 11.5 months. Patients with left-sided tumors had an average OS of 12.6 months and a TTD of 4.5 months. Patients with right-sided tumors had an OS of 8 months and a TTD of 2.7 months. The risk of a shorter OS was 45% higher in patients with right-sided tumors.
The bottom line
This study showed that cetuximab was more effective as a third-line treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer patients with left-side tumors.
Published By :
BMC cancer
Date :
May 31, 2016
