Efficacy of cetuximab in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (CSCC) are very common. Localized CSCC are cured by surgery and/or radiotherapy and have a better prognosis than locally inoperable advanced CSCC. Cetuximab has recently been proposed to treat locally advanced CSCC when surgery or radiotherapy cannot be offered.

OBJECTIVE:

The authors report results of a pilot study conducted in inoperable CSCC patients treated with cetuximab alone or combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

This study was conducted in 20 CSCC patients. RECIST criteria were used to evaluate clinical and radiological responses.

RESULTS:

Five patients received cetuximab associated with radiotherapy (CR), nine with carboplatin (CC) and six as monotherapy (CM) over 1-month cycle treatment. Response to treatment was evaluated every two cycles. After 2 months of treatment, the authors observed nine partial responses, six stabilizations and four progressions. Disease control rate was of 78% (100% for CR, 87.5% for CC and 50% for CM) with a 47% response rate (80% for CR, 37.5% for CC and 33% for CM).

CONCLUSION:

The authors confirm the potential interest of cetuximab to treat unresectable advanced CSCC alone or combined with CC and CM. These results justify discussing a further randomized study combining radiotherapy and cetuximab.

• Authors: Sophie Preneau, Emmanuel Rio, Anabelle Brocard, Lucie Peuvrel, Jean-Michel Nguyen, Gaelle Quéreux, Brigitte Dreno
• Journal: The Journal of dermatological treatment (J Dermatolog Treat) Vol. 25 Issue 5 Pg. 424-7 (Oct 2014) ISSN: 1471-1753 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23167307 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase II, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Antineoplastic Agents
• Carboplatin
• Cetuximab

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized (therapeutic use)
• Antineoplastic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Carboplatin (therapeutic use)
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (drug therapy, radiotherapy)
• Cetuximab
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pilot Projects
• Prognosis
• Skin Neoplasms (drug therapy, pathology, radiotherapy)
• Survival Rate