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Targeted cancer therapies significantly increased pruritus risk
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Patients receiving targeted cancer therapies had a significant risk of developing pruritus, according to recent study results.
Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of literature on human studies by searching databases from PubMed (January 1998- July 2012) and Web of Science, and American Society of Clinical Oncology abstracts (2004-2012). Key words used were the targeted agent, including “axitinib, cetuximab, dasatinib, erlotinib, everolimus, gefitinib, imatinib, ipilimumab, lapatinib, nilotinib, panitumumab, pazopanib, rituximab, sorafenib, temsirolimus, tositumomab, vandetanib” and “vemurafenib,” and “clinical trials.” Random- or fixed-effects model were used to calculate incidence and relative risk of pruritus.
There were 5,065 potential articles identified and 144 studies (116 phase 2 and 28 phase 3 trials) included for analysis. All-grade pruritus had an overall summary incidence of 17.4% (95% CI, 16.0%-19.0%), while high-grade pruritus had an overall incidence of 1.4% (95% CI, 1.2%-1.6%). The fixed-effect model found that when targeted agents were compared with controls, the summary RR for associated high-grade pruritus was 2.13 (95% CI, 0.61-7.48). The therapies had a significant RR of 2.90 (95% CI, 1.76-4.77) for all-grade pruritus, with variation among the drugs (P<.001).
As a result of concomitant medications, comorbidities and underlying malignancies, the reporting of pruritus could vary, the researchers cautioned.
“Our results demonstrate that targeted cancer therapies are associated with a significant risk of developing pruritus,” the researchers concluded. “To prevent suboptimal dosing and reduction in patients’ QoL, further research is needed to improve upon the current understanding of the pathogenesis of pruritus, risk factors and management strategies. Prophylactic treatment, early detention and intervention, and close monitoring of this untoward event are critical to ensure patient adherence and maximize clinical benefit from optimal dosing.”
Disclosures: See the study for a full list of relevant disclosures.
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