title: Rational use of cetuximab in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: Lung cancer is the leading cause of mortality in the United States. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 85% of all lung cancers. Most NSCLC patients present with loco-regionally advanced or metastatic disease where response rates are low and median overall survival approximates 8 to 10 months. Chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for NSCLC patients with metastatic disease. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and family of receptors play a critical role in lung cancer tumorigenesis. Cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody that binds the EGFR, has demonstrated preclinical and clinical activity against NSCLC. This review focuses on the use of cetuximab in NSCLC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Charu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aggarwal
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Borghaei