title: [Study into the use of cetuximab in metastatic colorectal cancer in a third level hospital].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study we will analyse the use of cetuximab in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (MCC) in a third level hospital. We will establish the usage conditions in our centre in keeping with those approved in current technical records. We will also record the treatment duration under the different usage conditions and use the information available in material that has been published to date.
  
  
  METHODS
  An indication-prescription study of cetuximab in MCC was carried out on all patients treated with cetuximab for colorectal cancer in the period between 2004 and 2007 in our hospital. The number of prescriptions that do not fit the approved recommendations for cetuximab in MCC treatment (and why they do not fit) is determined. Descriptive statistical analysis was carried out for the different variables collected, and a Kaplan-Meier analysis was carried out for the treatment duration variable, so as to determine whether there is a difference in effectiveness for the common uses in our hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data was recorded for 74 patients treated with cetuximab. The average cost per patient was 14,399 Euro and on average, 15.3 dosages were administered per patient. The average initial dosage was 710 mg with an average dosage of 446 mg after that. The average duration of the treatments was 15.4 weeks. cetuximab was administered to 7 patients as first-line treatment and to 32 patients who had not used Irinotecan previously. Irinotecan was not associated with cetuximab treatment in 9 patients, and it was used in 14 patients resulting in a negative outcome for the EFGR test. Treatment duration was longer in the case of its use as first-line treatment (27.7 weeks), if Irinotecan had not been used before (23.3 weeks), if Irinotecan was used (20.5 weeks) and in patients with positive EFGR results (19.6 weeks.) The median treatment duration, under the different conditions, was less than the average but with no major differences between them. 70.3 % of prescriptions did not fit with the data sheet.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of cetuximab under different conditions to those approved on the technical data sheet creates an increase in the number of patients treated and a longer duration of the treatments which implies an increase in intake. The average and the mean treatment times for the usage conditions found did not present any significant statistical differences. There are a small number of patients who benefit from this treatment which can be seen by the large average, in comparison with the mean, without any of the conditions in which the analysis was carried out seeming to determine a higher response. The treatment duration in our study was similar to the durations recorded in relevant literature for these usage conditions.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Farmacia, Complejo Hospitalario Jaén, Jaén, España. jmarinp@sefh.es
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Marín Pozo
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Oya Alvarez de Morales
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Caba Porras
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aranda García
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068818:Cetuximab; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000068818:Cetuximab