Cetuximab

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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.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag In patients with colorectal cancer[3], but not head and neck cancer[2], this rash is associated with improved survival.

References

  1. Anonymous (2024), Cetuximab (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  2. 2.0 2.1 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. 3.0 3.1 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.