title: Cetuximab  in non-melanoma skin cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) has become the most common cancer with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) as the major cause of morbidity and mortality. REVIEW AREAS COVERED: The chimeric human-mouse monoclonal antibody Cetuximab against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been approved for advanced head and neck cancer (HNC). Since SCC has been shown to express the EGFR, EGFR-targeted therapy is an option.
  
  
  METHODS
  A PUBMED research 2000 - 2012 have been conducted using the following items: "Non-melanoma skin cancer AND cetuximab," "cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma AND cetuximab," and "basal cell carcinoma AND cetuximab."
  
  
  RESULTS
  Current evidence of cetuximab efficacy in NMSC results from a Phase II trial and case reports. Cetuximab can be combined with radiotherapy in analogy to HNC. The total response rate is almost 50% in patients with SCC. The combination with radiotherapy resulted in a complete response rate of 50%. Management of adverse reactions in SCC with particular emphasis on cutaneous toxicities is necessary. Further controlled trials are needed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EGFR inhibitor cetuximab is an option for recurrent or advanced SCC of skin. The combination with radiotherapy seems to be superior to cetuximab alone.
authors.affiliation: Academic Teaching Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Friedrichstrasse 41, 01067 Dresden, Germany. wollina-uw@khdf.de
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Wollina
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D000068818:Cetuximab; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab