Cetuximab as a single agent or in combination with chemotherapy in lung cancer.
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has become an important target in the treatment of cancer. Multiple epithelial cancers have been found to overexpress the receptor including head and neck, breast, colon, lung, prostate, kidney, ovary, brain, pancreas, and bladder. Strategies to block EGFR include development of monoclonal antibodies to EGFR, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, ligand-linked toxins, and antisense approaches. The inhibition of EGFR may lead to suppression of tumor proliferation and improve overall clinical outcome, as overexpression of the receptor has been associated with a poorer prognosis in patients with cancer. This article will focus on the monoclonal antibody cetuximab and its applications in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer.
Kim
Edward S
ES
Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA. edkim@mdanderson.org
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000628:therapy*; D000068818:Cetuximab; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab