Meta-analysis of incidence and risk of hypokalemia with cetuximab-based therapy for advanced cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To gain a better understanding of the incidence and risk of hypokalemia in patients who received cetuximab-based therapy.


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/m(2) IV on day 1 and 250 mg/m(2) 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)].


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Cao
Yunfei
Y
Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.
Liu
Lidan
L
Liao
Cun
C
Tan
Aihua
A
Gao
Feng
F
D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068818:Cetuximab; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D018570:Risk Assessment
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000068818:Cetuximab