A meta‑analysis of erlotinib versus docetaxel for advanced nonsmall‑cell lung cancer with poor prognosis.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The extent of the benefit of erlotinib in the treatment of advanced nonsmall‑cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still controversial when compared with docetaxel. This meta‑analysis was performed to compare the efficacy of erlotinib with docetaxel for different patients with advanced NSCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched Cochrane Library, PubMed, CNKI, and identified 23 randomized controlled clinical trials from 2008 to 2015. According to our further full‑text screening, 6 clinical trials were included in the final meta‑analysis. RESULTS: Six papers were included in this study. The progression‑free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), and toxicity were included in our outcomes. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) of PFS was 1.57 (95% confidential index [CI] = 1.47–1.69). The pooled HR of OS was 1.66 (95% CI = 1.43–1.92). The pooled risk ratio of ORR was 0.56 (95% CI = 0.35–0.91). The toxicity analysis showed odds ratio = 1.79 (95% CI = 1.20–2.69). CONCLUSIONS: In terms of PFS, OS, and toxicity the effect of erlotinib in the treatment of advanced NSCLC patients is superior to docetaxel.