The effect of HER2-targeted inhibitors as second-line or later-line regimens in the treatment of HER2-positive advanced colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

person Qianyuan Zhang No.29, Xinquan Road, Fujian, Fuzhou, China info_outline Qianyuan Zhang, Haiyu Liu, Suyun Zhang, Jinghan Chen, Qiong Luo, Qian Xu, Xiangqi Chen, Sheng Yang

Authors person Qianyuan Zhang No.29, Xinquan Road, Fujian, Fuzhou, China info_outline Qianyuan Zhang, Haiyu Liu, Suyun Zhang, Jinghan Chen, Qiong Luo, Qian Xu, Xiangqi Chen, Sheng Yang Organizations No.29, Xinquan Road, Fujian, Fuzhou, China, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China Abstract Disclosures Research Funding Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province Background: To systematically evaluate and meta-analyze the efficacy and safety of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 Inhibitor (HER2 Inhibitor) as a second-line or later-line antitumor regimen in the treatment of HER2-positive advanced colorectal cancer and provides a new method to treat metastatic colorectal cancer who failed with first-line treatment. Methods: Literature focusing on the use of HER2-targeted inhibitors in the treatment of HER2-positive mCRC was downloaded from Pubmed, Web of Science, EMBASE and Google Scholar databases from January 1, 2019 to October 31, 2022, and the final included articles were determined by screening and relevant data were extracted, including Objective Response Rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), Progression-Free-Survival (PFS), Overall Survival (OS), and Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) (Grade 3/4 adverse events). Binary variables were compared using 95% confidence intervals (CI) and odds ratios (OR); for continuous variables, heterogeneity was checked using Cochran's Q Test (p values and I²) and Weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% CI. P < 0.05 or I²> 50% denote statistical significance, and results were combined using a random-effects model. The efficacy and safety of adding HER2-targeted inhibitors in treating HER2-positive mCRC were further discussed using the above methods. Results: The systematic review and meta-analysis included 17 studies with a total of 267 patients, with an overall DCR of 57% (95% CI: 43%-70%), an ORR of 29% (95% CI: 21%-37%), a median OS of 13.11 months (95% CI: 10.57-15.64), a median PFS of 4.40 months (95% CI: 3.64-5.15), and SAEs of 20% (95% CI: 0.11-0.29). The efficacy of the second-line and later-line treatment was significantly better than that of the well-known EPIC study, ML18147 study, CONCUR study and FRESCO-2 study. Conclusions: Systematic review and meta-analysis show that HER2-targeted inhibitors as second-line or later-line regimens demonstrate ideal antitumor efficacy and safety in HER2-positive mCRC, which is better than the standard regimen without anti-HER2 therapy. Specifically, the new ADC drug (A antibody-drug Conjugate, ADC) should be able to improve the treatment effect of these patients more effectively. Therefore, HER2-targeted inhibitors can effectively improve the efficacy of second-line and later-line therapy for HER2-positive mCRC. Furthermore, it is still worth exploring its therapeutic effects application as first-line therapy, which is expected to offer new strategies for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of HER2-positive advanced colorectal cancer.