Optimizing epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment in lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the influence of gastric acid suppressants

Background: The introduction of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has revolutionized advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. However, their efficacy can be compromised by concurrent use of gastric acid suppressants (GASs), such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine 2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs). This study aimed to update the evidence on the impact of GASs on the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients on EGFR-TKI treatment.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using data from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, KoreaMed, and preprint repositories. Data from 13 retrospective studies, involving 10,814 patients, were analyzed.

Results: Overall, 34.6% of the patients used GASs, with most being Asian females and non-smokers. Most patients had EGFR-mutated adenocarcinoma, reflecting typical EGFR-TKI usage scenarios. Concurrent use of GASs was significantly associated with reduced OS [hazard ratio (HR) =1.34, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26-1.42], and PFS (HR =1.52, 95% CI: 1.25-1.86). In subgroup analysis, PPIs had a more negative impact on OS (HR =1.64, 95% CI: 1.51-1.79) than did H2RAs (HR =1.11, 95% CI: 0.95-1.31). Longer overlap times of GASs correlated with a higher trend in HRs for OS. However, the results for PFS were not significant in both subgroup analyses.

Conclusions: Concurrent use of GASs with EGFR-TKIs is linked to poorer OS and PFS in patients with advanced NSCLC. Careful consideration is advised when prescribing GASs, including adjusting administration timing, minimizing overlap duration, or opting for H2RAs over PPIs. Further research is needed to optimize treatment protocols, specifically addressing the duration of overlap time, to improve patient outcomes.