Cetuximab shows promising activity in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

European investigators have reported that single-agent cetuximab (Erbitux) shows promising activity and tolerability in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), in results published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Cetuximab is a monoclonal antibody that targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on tumour cells and impairs tumour cell growth and proliferation.

In this Phase II study, patients with advanced SCCHN and disease progression after platinum-based chemotherapy received single-agent cetuximab (single-agent phase). If patients experienced further disease progression, they received cetuximab in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy (combination therapy phase).

In the single-agent phase, the overall response rate (ORR) was 13%, disease control rate (DCR) was 46% and median time-to-progression (TTP) was 70 days. In the combination therapy phase, the ORR was 0%, DCR ws 26% and TTP was 50 days. Median overall survival was 178 days. Treatment was generally well tolerated.

Author’s conclusions ‘Single-agent cetuximab was active and generally well tolerated in the treatment of recurrent and/or metastatic SCCHN that progressed on platinum therapy. Response was comparable to that seen with cetuximab plus platinum combination regimens in the same setting.’

Source: http://jco.ascopubs.org/cgi/content/abstract/25/16/2171