Effects of the anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibody cetuximab on cholangiocarcinoma of the liver.
BACKGROUND
Cholangiocarcinoma is a malignant neoplasm arising from the biliary epithelium. The disease is notoriously difficult to diagnose and is usually fatal because of its late clinical presentation and the lack of effective nonsurgical therapeutic modalities. The overall survival rate, including in patients who underwent tumor resections, is poor, with less than 5% surviving more than 5 years. Over the past 5 years, several important studies have yielded new insight into the molecular mechanisms involved in the development and growth of these tumors. The tumor cells of the cholangiocarcinoma express an epidermal growth factor receptor which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of these tumors.


METHODS
A 49-year-old woman with cholangiocarcinoma of the liver developed spinal metastases. The antiepidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) antibody was used successfully in combination with radiotherapy. The response to treatment was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging and positron-emission tomography.


CONCLUSIONS
The patient with cholangiocarcinoma had a response to cetuximab-based therapies. This may lead to another option for the treatment of hepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
Huang
Tsai-Wang
TW
Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Wang
Chih-Hsin
CH
Hsieh
Chung-Bao
CB
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D000068818:Cetuximab; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil