Impact of Cetuximab Addition to FOLFIRI as First-Line Therapy for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer on Patient Quality of Life | ||
| Aswan University Medical Journal | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 05 October 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/aumj.2025.427682.1263 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Mohamed Ibrahim* 1; Mohamed Abdeen2; Hesham Elwekel3; Hesham Elghazaly3; Soha Abbas4 | ||
| 1Department of Clinical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Aswan University | ||
| 2Department of Clinical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University | ||
| 3Department of Clinical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University | ||
| 4Department of Clinical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez University | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)–expressing metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with wild-type K-RAS/N-RAS may benefit from anti-EGFR targeted therapy. Objective: This study evaluated the efficacy and quality-of-life outcomes of FOLFIRI chemotherapy with or without cetuximab. Patients and Methods: A prospective study was conducted at Ain Shams University Hospitals between December 2016 and December 2019, including 40 patients with newly diagnosed EGFR-expressing, K-RAS/N-RAS wild-type mCRC. Patients were randomized into two groups: Protocol 1 (cetuximab + FOLFIRI, n = 20) and Protocol 2 (FOLFIRI alone, n = 20). Patients were evaluated clinically, biochemically, and radiologically every 3 months for one year. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed using a structured questionnaire. Results: QoL scores were significantly better in Protocol 1 across general (p < 0.001), physical (p = 0.004), psychological (p = 0.04), familial (p = 0.04), and economic (p = 0.05) domains. Median PFS was significantly longer with Protocol 1 (9 vs. 6 months, p = 0.004). Conclusion: In conclusion, our study reinforces that combining cetuximab with FOLFIRI not only enhances oncologic outcomes but also preserves, and in some domains improves, patient-reported quality of life. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| metastatic colorectal cancer; cetuximab; FOLFIRI; EGFR; quality of life | ||
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