title: Treatment dilemmas of cetuximab combined with chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer.
abstract: Although monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have largely enriched the available therapeutic choices for colorectal cancer (CRC), the understanding and management of their associated clinical toxicities are limited. In addition, the combined strategies of administering EGFR mAbs and traditional cytotoxic agents, such as 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin and irinotecan, have resulted in a more complicated management of CRC treatment-related side effects compared with EGFR mAb monotherapy. We believe that a thorough recognition of the toxicities of EGFR mAb drugs is essential for physicians to increase the therapeutic index in the treatment of CRC. This review aims to summarize the existing information regarding the treatment dilemmas of cetuximab combined with chemotherapy in the management of metastatic CRC.
authors.affiliation: Feng Wen, Qiu Li, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.affiliation: Feng Wen, Qiu Li, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
authors.forename: Qiu
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068818:Cetuximab / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004347:Drug Interactions; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab
keywords: Cetuximab; Chemotherapy; Colorectal cancer; Metastatic; Toxicity