Risk of oral and gastrointestinal mucosal injury in patients with solid tumors treated with everolimus, temsirolimus or ridaforolimus: a comparative systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: The authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of diarrhea and stomatitis associated with the use of everolimus, temsirolimus or ridaforolimus in patients with solid tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible studies included randomized trials of patients with solid tumors on everolimus, temsirolimus or ridaforolimus, describing the events of diarrhea and stomatitis. RESULTS: After exclusion of ineligible studies, a total of 18 clinical trials including 8143 patients were considered eligible for the meta-analysis. The relative risk ratios of all-grade diarrhea and stomatitis were 1.94 (95% CI: 1.6-2.36; p < 0.00001) and 3.54 (95% CI: 2.59-4.84; p < 0.00001), respectively, while the relative risk ratios of high-grade diarrhea and stomatitis were 3.49 (95% CI: 2.39-5.09; p < 0.00001) and 6.98 (95% CI: 4.76-10.26; p < 0.00001), respectively. On subgroup analysis, there was no statistically significant difference between everolimus and temsirolimus in the risk of relevant adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis demonstrated that regimens containing everolimus, temsirolimus or ridaforolimus for the treatment of solid tumors are associated with a significantly increased risk of all-grade and high-grade diarrhea and stomatitis. Close clinical monitoring is required when administering these drugs.