title: Relapsing high grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Long-lasting complete response following reirradiation and EGFR blockade.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The treatment strategy for inoperable recurrent mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is not well established. Here, we present a case of a relapsed high grade MEC of the salivary glands of the hard palate that was successfully treated with a reirradiation (re-RT) and cetuximab, an antibody against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve years after resection and adjuvant radiotherapy for high grade MEC of the salivary glands, a patient presented with inoperable recurrent disease. She received another 59.4 Gy. In addition, 400 mg/m(2) cetuximab was administered in the first week, followed by six additional weekly courses at 250 mg/m(2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment was well tolerated. The patient is doing well and continuous radiological complete response (CR) is documented for 25 months after completion of the combined treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combined re-RT and targeted inhibition of EGFR with cetuximab may be a valuable therapeutic strategy in patients with recurrent localized high grade MEC who are not candidates for radical surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. dusan.milanovic@uniklinik-freiburg.de
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Milanovic
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jeremic
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kayser
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Rischke
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pfeiffer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Henke
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018277:Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000068818:Cetuximab; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D019233:Retreatment; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab