Network meta-analyses for EGFR mutation-positive non-small-cell lung cancer: systematic review and overview of methods and shortcomings

Efficacy and safety of first-line therapies in EGFR-mutated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a network meta-analysis

Aim: To evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of identified first-line therapies for patients with EGFR mutation-positive advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with a focus on ramucirumab + erlotinib. Methods: In the absence of head-to-head studies, a Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted using randomized clinical trial data to evaluate first-line systemic therapies with erlotinib/gefitinib as the reference treatment. Results: For progression-free survival (PFS), ramucirumab + erlotinib was comparable to osimertinib and dacomitinib in the primary analysis. Conclusion: The analysis showed ramucirumab + erlotinib efficacy to be comparable to best-in-class treatment options for previously untreated patients with EGFRm⁺ advanced NSCLC. Registration information: PROSPERO ID: CRD42020136247.