title: Risk of hematological toxicities in patients with solid tumors treated with ramucirumab: a meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We performed a meta-analysis of the risk of hematological adverse events associated with ramucirumab.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eligible studies included randomized Phase II and III trials of patients with solid tumors on ramucirumab, describing events of anemia, leucopenia, neutropenia, febrile neutropenia and thrombocytopenia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 11 clinical trials were considered eligible for the meta-analysis. The relative risks of all-grade anemia, leucopenia, neutropenia, febrile neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were 0.88 (95% CI: 0.80-0.96; p = 0.007), 1.13 (95% CI: 0.85-1.49; p = 0.41), 1.25 (95% CI: 1.08-1.44; p = 0.002), 1.63 (95% CI: 1.30-2.06; p < 0.0001), 1.91 (95% CI: 1.52-2.42; p < 0.00001), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our meta-analysis has demonstrated an increased risk of febrile neutropenia, all-grade and high-grade neutropenia and thrombocytopenia with ramucirumab-based treatment compared with control.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Oncology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Abdel-Rahman
authors.affiliation: Clinical Oncology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Hesham
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: ElHalawani
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012306:Risk; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D000096662:Ramucirumab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000096662:Ramucirumab
keywords: anemia; neutropenia; ramucirumab; thrombocytopenia