title: Combination of an EGFR blocker and a COX-2 inhibitor for the treatment of advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is expressed at the cell surface by more than 90% of SCCs and its activation is responsible for cell cycle progression, proliferation, survival, angiogenesis and metastasis. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an enzyme up-regulated through EGFR signaling and responsible for some of the EGFR-dependent biological effects. An 88-year-old man presented with a recurrent, locoregionally meta-static SCC of the right parietal region, which was resistant to radiotherapy. With a combination therapy of an EGFR blocker (cetuximab) and a COX-2 inhibitor (celecoxib), the tumor regressed partially and the patient's Karnofsky index improved. We speculate that the combined use of cetuximab and COX-2 inhibitors can be a new and effective therapy for advanced and recurrent cutaneous SCCs.
authors.affiliation: Division of Immunology, Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna. ahmad.jalili@meduniwien.ac.at
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jalili
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pinc
authors.forename: Friederike
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pieczkowski
authors.forename: Franz M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Karlhofer
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stingl
authors.forename: Stephan N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Wagner
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068579:Celecoxib; D000068818:Cetuximab; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D011720:Pyrazoles; D013449:Sulfonamides; C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068579:Celecoxib; D000068818:Cetuximab