Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma responding serially to single-agent cetuximab.
Cetuximab (Erbitux) is a recombinant, chimeric monoclonal antibody that binds with high affinity to the extracellular ligand-binding domain of human epidermal growth factor receptor. We report a case of repeated responses to cetuximab in a patient with nonresectable squamous cell skin cancer having strong human epidermal growth factor receptor expression. Nonmelanoma skin cancer is the most common cancer in the US, with more than 1 million new cases detected annually, of which 20-25% are squamous cell carcinomas. Although most primary cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas have a high clinical cure rate and are easily treated, the small subset of cancers that recur or metastasize has a poor prognosis, and accounts for approximately 2000 deaths per year. Treatment with cetuximab should be considered for human epidermal growth factor receptor expressing tumors in a palliative setting.
Suen
Jacqueline K
JK
Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
Bressler
Linda
L
Shord
Stacy S
SS
Warso
Michael
M
Villano
John Lee
JL
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068818:Cetuximab; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010166:Palliative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab