Effectiveness of cetuximab/gefitinib in the therapy of a sacral chordoma.
BACKGROUND
Chordomas are rare tumors of the skull base and the spine. Treatment is difficult since conventional radiotherapy or chemotherapy have only limited effects.


METHODS
A patient with a sacral chordoma and pulmonary metastases received initial surgery and radiotherapy for a local recurrence. After 11 months another local recurrence as well as a progression of the pulmonary metastases was documented. As tumor biopsies revealed the expression of the EGF receptor an individual treatment approach with a combination of cetuximab and gefitinib was performed.


RESULTS
Under the treatment with cetuximab/gefitinib the local recurrence and the pulmonary metastases showed a partial response over the follow-up period of 9 months. To date no treatment failure was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The inhibition of the EGF pathway seems to be an effective measure in the treatment of a chordoma. Further follow-up will have to prove the long-term efficiency.
Hof
Holger
H
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. holger.hof@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Welzel
Thomas
T
Debus
Jürgen
J
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000068818:Cetuximab; D002817:Chordoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012447:Sacrum; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D011799:Quinazolines; D000068818:Cetuximab; D000077156:Gefitinib