Radiotherapy plus cetuximab or cisplatin in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: The present meta-analysis was updated with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to revaluate the efficacy and safety of cetuximab vs. cisplatin combined with radiotherapy in patients of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods: A meta-analysis containing RCTs that compared the efficacy or toxicity of cetuximab and cisplatin in HNSCC patients was conducted.

Results: Seven RCTs were included in the final analysis. The patients treated by cetuximab plus radiotherapy showed an inferior overall survival (OS) and locoregional control (LRC) compared to cisplatin plus radiotherapy. The tendency of progression-free survival (PFS) was in agreement with OS and LRC. Subgroup analysis showed that cetuximab had poorer OS relative to cisplatin in the absence of induction chemotherapy. The profile of severe adverse events (SAEs) varied between the two groups, no significant difference in total SAEs was shown for the two arms.

Discussion: Cetuximab combined with radiotherapy shows significantly reduced therapeutic efficacy compared to cisplatin plus radiotherapy in HNSCC patients.