Compliance with Therapeutic Goods Association prescribing information: weekly or second weekly cetuximab for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer

Loft, M; Shapiro, J; Lee, M; Wong, R; Tie, J; Kosmider, S; Wong, V; Jalali, A; Lee, B; Ananda, SS; Gibbs, P

Author(s): Loft, M; Shapiro, J; Lee, M; Wong, R; Tie, J; Kosmider, S; Wong, V; Jalali, A; Lee, B; Ananda, SS; Gibbs, P;
Details: Publication Year 2023-09,Volume 53,Issue #9,Page 1610-1617
Journal Title: Internal Medicine Journal
Publication Type: Research article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Treatment with cetuximab provides a survival benefit for patients with RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Practice-defining cetuximab studies utilised weekly (q1w) administration. More convenient second weekly (q2w) administration is supported by pharmacokinetic data and a recent meta-analysis, but large head-to-head studies have not been conducted. Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) prescribing information states cetuximab be administered q1w for all indications. AIM: To assess the real-world use of q1w versus q2w cetuximab schedule and any difference in outcomes. METHODS: We analysed data from a prospective mCRC database at seven Melbourne hospitals from January 2010 to August 2019. Characteristics and outcomes for cetuximab-treated patients were examined, comparing q1w versus q2w schedules. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were the primary endpoints. RESULTS: Of 214 eligible patients, 103 (48%) received q1w and 111 (52%) received q2w cetuximab. Q2w cetuximab has been used in >70% of patients from 2015. Q2w was more commonly used in public patients (70% vs 13% in private, P < 0.001), in left-sided primary tumours (83% vs 68%, P = 0.025) and in combination with chemotherapy (73% q2w vs 40% q1w, P < 0.001). Q2w treatment was less common in BRAFV600E mutated tumours (4% vs 13%, P = 0.001). PFS was similar across all lines of therapy, including when analyses were limited to a left-sided primary and there was no difference in OS in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: This real-world analysis shows q2w cetuximab has become the dominant method of administration, despite TGA guidance. Our outcome data adds to other data supporting the use of q2w cetuximab as the standard option. Consideration could be given to modifying current TGA advice.
Publisher: Wiley
Keywords: Humans; Cetuximab/therapeutic use; *Colorectal Neoplasms; Prospective Studies; Disease-Free Survival; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use; Egfr; RAS wild type; cetuximab; every second week; metastatic colorectal cancer
Department(s): Medical Oncology
PubMed ID: 35668542
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.1111/imj.15835
Terms of Use/Rights Notice: Refer to copyright notice on published article.

Creation Date: 2023-11-21 05:54:20

Last Modified: 2024-07-09 05:54:07