Evidence
This page contains a snapshot of featured content which highlights evidence addressing key clinical questions including areas of uncertainty. Please see the main topic reference list for details of all sources underpinning this topic.
BMJ Best Practice evidence tables
Evidence tables provide easily navigated layers of evidence in the context of specific clinical questions, using GRADE and a BMJ Best Practice Effectiveness rating. Follow the links at the bottom of the table, which go to the related evidence score in the main topic text, providing additional context for the clinical question. Find out more about our evidence tables.
This table is a summary of the analysis reported in a Cochrane Clinical Answer that focuses on the above important clinical question.
Confidence in the evidence is high or moderate to high where GRADE has been performed and there is a trade off between benefits and harms of the intervention.
Population: People with KRAS exon 2 wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer ᵃ
Intervention: EGFR alone or plus chemotherapy
Comparison: No EGFR (chemotherapy alone)
| Outcome | Effectiveness (BMJ rating)? | Confidence in evidence (GRADE)? |
|---|---|---|
Progression-free survival (follow-up: 13-38 months) | Favours intervention ᵇ | High |
Overall survival (follow-up: 13-38 months) | Favours intervention ᶜ | High |
Tumour response rate (follow-up: 13-38 months) | Favours intervention ᵇ | High |
Quality of life (time point unclear) | See note ᵈ | Moderate |
Overall grade 3/4 toxicity (follow-up: 13-38 months) | Favours comparison ᵇ | Moderate |
Grade 3/4 diarrhoea (follow-up: 13-38 months) | Favours comparison ᶜ | Moderate |
Grade 3/4 rash (follow-up: 13-38 months) | Favours comparison ᵇ | Moderate |
Grade 3/4 neutropenia (follow-up: 13-38 months) | No statistically significant difference ᶜ | Moderate |
Note ᵃ This evidence table summarises the findings for the comparison of EGFR (cetuximab or panitumumab) with or without chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone in people with KRAS exon 2 wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer, which is the main comparison as stated in the Cochrane review Summary of Findings table. See the full Cochrane Clinical Answer (CCA) for information on people with KRAS exon 2 mutant-type colorectal cancer. ᵇ Effectiveness reported overall; results were similar for trials administering first-, second-, or third‐line treatment when these were analysed separately. ᶜ Effectiveness reported overall; results differed for subgroup analyses of trials administering first-, second- or third‐line treatment when these were analysed separately. See CCA for more details.ᵈ Results reported narratively. The majority of studies reporting this outcome found neutral or equivocal results. See CCA for more details.
This evidence table is related to the following section/s:
Cochrane Clinical Answers
Cochrane Clinical Answers (CCAs) provide a readable, digestible, clinically focused entry point to rigorous research from Cochrane systematic reviews. They are designed to be actionable and to inform decision making at the point of care and have been added to relevant sections of the main Best Practice text.
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- Is there randomized controlled trial evidence to support the use of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in people with rectal cancer operated for cure?
- What are the effects of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor monoclonal antibodies for people with KRAS exon 2 genotype metastatic colorectal cancer?
- How does second-line irinotecan-based combination therapy compare with irinotecan alone in people with metastatic colorectal cancer?
- Can adding targeted therapy to second-line systemic chemotherapy improve outcomes in people with metastatic colorectal cancer?
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