Sex moderates circadian chemotherapy effects on survival of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Molecular circadian clocks can modify cancer chemotherapy effects, with a possible moderation according to sex differences. We investigated whether sex determine the optimal delivery schedule of chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A meta-analysis was performed using individual data from three international Phase III trials comparing 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin and oxaliplatin administered in chronomodulated (chronoFLO) or conventional (CONV) infusions. The data from 345 females and 497 males were updated at 9 years. The main end point was survival. RESULTS: Overall survival was improved in males on chronoFLO when compared with CONV (P = 0.009), wit..