The efficacy and safety of EGFR‐TKI in recurrent/metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract Objectives EGFR‐tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) is used to treat recurrent and metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (rmNPC). This meta‐analysis aims to study the efficacy and safety of EGFR‐TKI in treating patients with rmNPC. Methods We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science up to November 2023, and included literature that met the criteria. We extracted objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), median progression‐free survival (mPFS), median overall survival (mOS), and adverse reaction‐related events and performed meta‐analysis using Stata 14.0. Results A total of nine articles were included. The summary results showed that the ORR for patients treated with EGFR‐TKI for rmNPC was 38% (95% CI = 27%–49%), the DCR was 71% (95% CI = 61%–80%), the mPFS was 6.29 months (95% CI = 5.22–7.35), and the mOS was 15.94 months (95% CI = 14.68–17.20). The most common grade 3–4 adverse reaction events in these patients were mucositis, nasopharyngeal necrosis, and oral ulceration. We found an incidence rate of 49% (95% CI = 38%–61%) for grade 3–4 adverse events (AEs). The anti‐PD1 combined with TKI treatment method is more effective than the EGFR‐TKI alone for treating rmNPC. Conclusion The study shows that EGFR‐TKI has good efficacy in treating rmNPC but does not translate into survival benefits and owns a high incidence of grade 3–4 AEs. More RCT trials are needed in the future to verify the efficacy of anti‐PD1 combined with TKI treatment method.