title: Anti-EGFR-targeting agents in recurrent or metastatic head and neck carcinoma: a meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapies are effective in head and neck carcinoma. A meta-analysis was performed to assess their efficacy and safety in advanced head and neck carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six trials randomizing 2257 patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck carcinoma for chemotherapy or best supportive care with or without anti-EGFR therapies were identified. The efficacy data included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), response rate, and toxicity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was higher in the experimental arm (p < .0001; relative risk = 1.62). A significant PFS benefit (p < .0001; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.70) favored the anti-EGFR treatment. Survival was significantly increased if trials of monoclonal antibodies were included (p = .004; HR = 0.83). A higher incidence of diarrhea, skin rash, anorexia, and hypomagnesemia was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This meta-analysis suggests that in recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer the addition of anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies to standard therapy confers a statistically significant improvement in OS, PFS, and overall response rate.
authors.affiliation: Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Treviglio-Caravaggio, Treviglio, Italy. faupe@libero.it
authors.forename: Fausto
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Petrelli
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barni
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D066246:ErbB Receptors