Cetuximab: clinical results in colorectal cancer

Abstract

In recent years, the introduction of targeted therapies into clinical practice seems to offer incremental benefits in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), mainly when they are employed in combination with optimal chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. In this paper, we focus on Cetuximab and its role in the treatment of mCRC.

Liver Immune Microenvironment and Metastasis from Colorectal Cancer-Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Perspectives

“…The combination of oxaliplatin or irinotecan plus leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil is a frequently used chemotherapy regimen that could significantly improve disease outcome in CRC liver metastasis patients [ 120 , 121 , 122 ]. Drugs that target epithelial and vascular endothelial growth factor pathways, such as cetuximab and bevacizumab, are also used to treat these patients [ 21 , 22 ].…”

“…The survival rate after resection depends on a number of variables: liver metastasis, tumor size, node-positive primary cancer, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level. Some other additional therapies, like anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (e.g., cetuximab, bevacizumab) have been used in treating CRC, but the financial burden is very high while the efficacy is still modest [ 21 , 22 ]. Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of cancer, yet it is currently not widely applicable to CRC liver metastasis but show great potential in preclinical studies and clinical translation [ 23 , 24 ].…”

Management of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in patients with epidermolysis bullosa: best clinical practice guidelines

“…A raft of new biologic agents, notably epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antagonists and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, have been used in non-EB SCCs. [80][81][82][83][84][85] There are limited case reports of favourable results with cetuximab (a monoclonal antibody that binds the extracellular domain of EGFR) in metastatic EB SCCs strongly expressing EGFR. 30,36 The oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor erlotinib may be another putatively use-ful agent for advanced disease in this patient group.…”

Potency of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in chemotherapy

“…Despite promising preclinical results with NSAIDs in combination with antitumour drugs, little is known regarding the effects of this combination on humans. The currently available clinical results are contradictory and mainly disappointing (142)(143)(144)(145) (Table III). For example, several combinations did not appear to improve therapy outcome, including celecoxib and docetaxel (144,146); celecoxib and 5-FU (142,143); rofecoxib, 5-FU and leucovorin (147); celecoxib and transtuzumab (148); rofecoxib, cisplatin and gemcitabine (149); celecoxib, docetaxel and carboplatin (150); and celecoxib and platinum derivates (151).…”