Cetuximab
In medicine, cetuximab (se tux' i mab) is an antineoplastic agent that is "an antibody that blocks receptors for epidermal growth factor."[1]
Uses
Head and neck cancer
Cetuximab can help treat head and neck cancer; the percentage of cells that are EGFR positive did not seen to predict the response to cetuximab in a randomized controlled trial.[2]
Colorectal cancer
Cetuximab can help treat colorectal cancer in patients whose cancer expressed epidermal growth factor receptor according to a randomized controlled trial.[3] This trial did not include patients whose cancers did not express [epidermal growth factor receptor]].
Drug toxicity
Drug toxicity includes a acneiform papulopustular rash involving the face and trunk in about 10% of patients.[3][2] In patients with colorectal cancer[3], but not head and neck cancer[2], this rash is associated with improved survival.
References
- ↑ Anonymous (2024), Cetuximab (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Vermorken JB, Mesia R, Rivera F, Remenar E, Kawecki A, Rottey S et al. (2008). "Platinum-based chemotherapy plus cetuximab in head and neck cancer.". N Engl J Med 359 (11): 1116-27. DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa0802656. PMID 18784101. Research Blogging.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Jonker DJ, O'Callaghan CJ, Karapetis CS, et al (2007). "Cetuximab for the treatment of colorectal cancer". N. Engl. J. Med. 357 (20): 2040–8. DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa071834. PMID 18003960. Research Blogging.