Review of cetuximab in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Marco Merlano¹, Marcella Occelli²

¹Department of Clinical Oncology, ²Medical Oncology, S. Croce General Hospital, Cuneo, Italy

Abstract: Cetuximab is a monoclonal antibody able to inhibit and to degrade the transmembrane receptor Her-1, also known as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The inhibition of EGFR is of major importance since the receptor influences many important tumor cell activities including tumor growth, neo-angiogenesis, inhibition of the apoptotic response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Available experimental data suggest that cetuximab may enhance chemotherapy and radiotherapy activity, reverse resistance to some anticancer drugs and has itself anticancer activity. Early clinical data support experimental results. This paper reviews the published experiences on cetuximab in the treatment of advanced head and neck cancer and points out the future objectives of the clinical research on this drug.

Keywords: cetuximab, head and neck neoplasms