Clinical progress of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibody, cetuximab, in the treatment of colorectal cancer

Abstract

Abstract: Recent clinical trials suggested that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeted agents could benefit many patients with colorectal cancer.This article reviews the clinical efficacy of cetuximab, which is an antibody directed at the EGFR, in the treatment of metastatic colorectal carcinoma.Several articles about EGFR-targeted therapies in metastatic colorectal carcinoma and other solid tumors were reviewed.Cetuximab showed the increase in progressionfree survival (3.98 months vs 2.56 months, P< 0.01).However, it did not show any advantage in mean survival time.For side effects, the severity of acne-like rash implied the response and the cetuximab therapy could be pursued by applying topical corticosteroids and emollients.Hypomagnesaemia, as a relatively special side effect, can be treated with intravenous magnesium sulfate.

Key words: cetuximab, colorectal cancer, epidermal growth factor receptor, acneiform rash, hypomagnesaemia

CLC Number:

R735

WU Liang, ZHENG Min-hua. Clinical progress of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibody, cetuximab, in the treatment of colorectal cancer[J]. Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2008, 13(7): 837-840.

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