title: Cetuximab in metastatic squamous cell cancer of the skin: a Swiss case series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is current evidence that non-melanoma skin cancers can be successfully treated with cetuximab.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the use and efficacy of cetuximab (with or without radiotherapy) in a series of previously treated patients with metastatic squamous cell cancer of the skin (SCCS) in Switzerland.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective analysis of six patients from four centers. Endpoints were disease control rates (DCRs) at 4-8 weeks, 12-14 weeks and 20-36 weeks of treatment. Treatment-related toxicity was evaluated additionally.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A median of 14 cycles of cetuximab were applied. DCR was 67% at 4-8 weeks, 50% at 12-14 weeks and 33% at 20-36 weeks. In 4-8 weeks responders, mean relapse-free time was 12 ± 6.2 months and mean overall survival was 25 ± 16.2 months. Grade I-III acne-like rash developed around week 3 of treatment in 83%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cetuximab treatment in patients with metastatic SCCS achieved an overall DCR of 67% at 4-8 weeks of treatment. This study underlines the current evidence that SCCS can be successfully treated with cetuximab.
authors.affiliation: Universitätsspital Basel, Medizinische Onkologie, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Katrin L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Conen
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Günther F L
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Hofbauer
authors.forename: Bahar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shafaeddin-Schreve
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Winterhalder
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rochlitz
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zippelius
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary; D000068818:Cetuximab; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab