What is the risk of radiation pneumonitis when thoracic radiation and EGFR-TKIs are administered together? This systematic review and meta-analysis identified 37 studies with 1143 patients who received either concurrent or sequential EGFR-TKI therapy with thoracic radiation. Overall the rate of grade 3+ pneumonitis was 3.8%, and the rate of fatal pneumonitis was 0.1%. The rate of grade 3+ pneumonitis was similar for those receiving definitive RT (2.3%) compared to SBRT or palliative RT (2.9%). Most importantly, though, the rate of grade 3+ pneumonitis was significantly higher when RT and EGFR-TKI therapy was administered concurrent versus sequential (4.9% v 0.4%). | Meng, Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023
