Development and clinical indications of cetuximab

摘要: Cetuximab is a chimeric immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody that targets the extracellular domain of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) with high specificity and affinity. It competitively inhibits endogenous ligand binding thereby subsequent EGFR activation. The signaling pathways regulate cell differentiation, proliferation, migration, angiogenesis apoptosis, all which become deregulated in cancer cells. an important target for therapy many studies have demonstrated cetuximab active several types cancer, particularly colorectal head neck cancer. enhances effects standard cytotoxic agents, including irinotecan, combination chemotherapy it can elicit antitumor responses tumors previously failed to respond chemotherapy. also radiation-induced apoptosis. On basis pivotal European randomized study (the BOND study) 2 clinical conducted USA, has been approved irinotecan patients affected by EGFR-expressing metastatic colon after failure irinotecan. There only few small phase II trials on first-line treatment but results suggest promising activity together or oxaliplatin. some evidence additive efficacy be achieved using inhibitors vascular endothelial such as bevacizumab. A correlation between response main toxicity (acne-like skin reaction) observed unclear. status specific marker controversial. At moment, expression does not appear predictive inhibitors.