Risk of venous and arterial thromboembolic events associated with anti-VEGF agents in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis and systematic review

AIMS To assess the incidence and risk of arterial and venous thromboembolic events (ATEs and VTEs) associated with antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents, including VEGF receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors and VEGF monoclonal antibodies, in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. METHODS We performed a broad search of PubMed for relevant trials. Prospective randomized trials evaluating therapy with or without anti-VEGF agents in patients with advanced NSCLC were included for analysis. Data on VTEs and ATEs were extracted. The overall incidence, Peto odds ratio (Peto OR), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled according to the heterogeneity of included trials. RESULTS A total of 13,436 patients from 23 trials were included for analysis. Our results showed that anti-VEGF agents significantly increased the risk of developing high-grade ATEs (Peto OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.00-2.07, P=0.048), but not for all-grade ATEs (Peto OR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.56-1.59, P=0.82) compared with controls. Additionally, no increased risk of all-grade and high-grade VTEs (Peto OR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.67-1.31, P=0.71 and Peto OR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.73-1.22, P=0.67, respectively) was observed in advanced NSCLC patients receiving anti-VEGF agents. CONCLUSION The use of anti-VEGF agents in advanced NSCLC patients significantly increased the risk of high-grade ATEs, but not for VTEs. Clinicians should be aware of the risk of severe ATEs with administration of these drugs in advanced NSCLC patients.