title: How do we optimally use cetuximab in first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer?
abstract: A number of Phase II/III clinical trials have now been reported assessing the role of cetuximab use in combination with chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Here we review the current position of cetuximab in this context from two important perspectives. First, we address whether clinicians should prioritize its use with oxaliplatin- or irinotecan-based chemotherapy doublets. Second, we review the trial evidence for the use of cetuximab in patients suffering from colorectal cancer with wild-type and mutant Ras.
authors.affiliation: Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow, UK. c.lindsay@beatson.gla.ac.uk
authors.forename: Colin R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Lindsay
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roxburgh
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Graham
mesh_terms: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000068818:Cetuximab; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D000077146:Irinotecan; D009154:Mutation; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D016283:Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D000077146:Irinotecan; D016283:Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras); D000068818:Cetuximab; D005472:Fluorouracil; D002166:Camptothecin