title: Efficacy and safety profile of celecoxib for treating advanced cancers: a meta-analysis of 11 randomized clinical trials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evidence on the benefits of combining celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, in treating advanced cancer is still controversial. This study aimed to establish the efficacy and safety profile of celecoxib in treating advanced cancers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases and abstracts from the American Society of Clinical Oncology and European Society for Medical Oncology were searched for reports dated up to January 31, 2014, to find relevant randomized clinical trials. The outcomes included overall response rate (ORR), 1-year mortality, progression-free survival, overall survival, and toxicities. Fixed-effects meta-analytical models were used when indicated, and between-study heterogeneity was assessed. Subgroup analysis was conducted according to cancer type, treatment pattern, and treatment line.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 11 randomized clinical trials consisting of 2570 patients with advanced cancer were included in the final meta-analysis. Addition of celecoxib to the treatment regimen significantly increased the ORR (pooled risk ratio [RR] = 1.20; 95% CI, 1.06-1.36; P = 0.005) but had no effect on 1-year mortality (RR = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.92-1.13; P = 0.68). Subgroup analysis found that the ORR results were significant with non-small cell lung cancer (RR = 1.29; 95% CI, 1.08-1.54; P = 0.005), colorectal cancer (RR = 1.32; 95% CI, 1.02-1.72; P = 0.037), chemotherapy treatment (RR = 1.22; 95% CI, 1.07-1.39; P = 0.003), and first-line treatment (RR = 1.22; 95% CI, 1.07-1.38; P = 0.003). However, celecoxib increased the risk of cardiovascular events (RR = 1.78; 95% CI, 1.30-2.43; P < 0.001) and anemia (RR = 1.88; 95% CI, 0.95-3.74; P = 0.071).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Celecoxib is beneficial in the treatment of advanced cancers but with increased risk of cardiovascular events. Benefit versus harm needs to be carefully considered when celecoxib is recommended in patients with advanced cancers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xiao-chen
authors.initials: XC
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Women's Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Meng-dan
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China. Electronic address: xgzhang666@163.com.
authors.forename: Xing-guo
authors.initials: XG
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China. Electronic address: yangliuqq2003@163.com.
authors.forename: Liu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D000068579:Celecoxib / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D000068579:Celecoxib
keywords: advanced cancer; celecoxib; efficacy; safety