title: Meta-analysis of incidence and risk of hypomagnesemia with cetuximab for advanced cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cetuximab is often used in patients with colorectal cancer, head and neck cancer, and other cancers. Hypomagnesemia is a major adverse event that was often ignored in studies. The aim of this meta-analysis is to gain a better understanding of the overall incidence and risk of hypomagnesemia in patients who received cetuximab-based therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Databases, including Pubmed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, 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 a dose of 400 mg/m(2) i.v. on day 1 and 250 mg/m(2) weekly thereafter. The primary endpoint was incidence of hypomagnesemia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen clinical reports were identified which included a total of 4,559 patients available for analysis, with 3,081 patients assigned cetuximab-based treatment. This result showed a high incidence of grade 3 and 4 hypomagnesemia (5.6%; 95% CI = 3.0-10.2) and a high incidence of all-grade hypomagnesemia associated with cetuximab-based therapy for advanced cancer (36.7%; 95% CI = 22-54.4). Compared with non-cetuximab therapy, cetuximab-based therapy has a higher risk of grade 3 and 4 hypomagnesemia (4.75; 95% CI = 3.661-6.18) and all-grade hypomagnesemia (4.75; 95% CI = 3.661-6.18).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cetuximab-based therapy is associated with a significant risk of hypomagnesemia. Early monitoring and effective management of hypomagnesemia are important for patients that received cetuximab-based therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, PR China. caoyunfei126@126.com
authors.forename: Yunfei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Cun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Aihua
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Lidan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D000068818:Cetuximab; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D008274:Magnesium; D000068818:Cetuximab