Cetuximab in the treatment of colorectal cancer

Abstract

The role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-driven signaling in different stages of colorectal carcinogenesis, as well in the acquisition of therapy resistance, has been established. Multiple strategies have been developed for the therapeutic targeting of EGFR. Cetuximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody selective for EGFR with efficacy alone or in combination with irinotecan in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer patients, who have progressed to using irinotecan-containing chemotherapy. Cetuximab is well tolerated and does not exacerbate the toxicity of concomitant chemotherapy. Based on this data, the combination of cetuximab with standard chemotherapy regimens such as irinotecan/5-FU/folinic acid (FA) or oxaliplatin/5-FU/FA are currently being investigated in Phase III trials for chemotherapy-naive patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.