Preliminary experience of cetuximab in the treatment of advanced-stage biliary tract cancer.
BACKGROUND
Cetuximab has been proved to be effective alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of various malignancies. The aim of this report was to describe our experience of using cetuximab with chemotherapeutics agents to treat advanced-stage biliary tract cancer.


METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 5 biliary tract cancer patients receiving cetuximab-containing therapy. Four of them had stage IV disease, and 1 patient had incomplete resection at the time of diagnosis. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and K-ras status were assessed when a specimen was available. After cetuximab treatment, complete response was achieved in 1 patient, partial response in 3 patients, and stable disease in 1 patient. Three surgical specimens were available, and all revealed positive EGFR expression. Only 1 surgical specimen was adequate for K-ras mutation test, and the wild type was confirmed. Complete response was found in the patient who had wild type K-ras. The progression-free survival of these patients varied from 4 to 16 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Cetuximab-containing therapy might be an effective treatment for advanced biliary tract cancer.
Chang
Ping-Ying
PY
Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Cheng
Ming-Fang
MF
Lee
Herng-Sheng
HS
Hsieh
Chung-Bao
CB
Yao
Nai-Shun
NS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000068818:Cetuximab; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D018450:Disease Progression; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D000077146:Irinotecan; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D015996:Survival Rate; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000077146:Irinotecan; D000068818:Cetuximab; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil; D002166:Camptothecin; D000093542:Gemcitabine