This meta-analysis looked at 404 adults with locally advanced or metastatic anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC). The study focused on the effects of using EGFR inhibitors, specifically cetuximab and panitumumab, when combined with chemoradiotherapy or other systemic treatments.
The results showed an objective response rate of 52 percent among patients. Additionally, 37 percent of patients achieved a complete response. The median overall survival was recorded at 11.9 months, while the median progression-free survival was 4.5 months. These findings suggest that these specific medications show a consistent signal of activity for this type of cancer.
Safety data showed that 56 percent of patients experienced high-grade adverse events. However, treatment discontinuation was infrequent at only 8 percent, and no deaths related to the treatment were reported. Because the evidence comes from nonrandomized designs and has some variability, these results should be viewed as a signal of potential activity rather than a definitive guarantee for every patient.
