Abstract | INTRODUCTION: AREAS COVERED: EXPERT OPINION: Current evidence of cetuximab's efficacy in NMSC was mainly obtained in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and to a lesser extent in basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Response rates vary for neoadjuvant, adjuvant, monotherapy and combined therapy with cetuximab. Limitations are the low number of patients treated (33 patients with SCC, 4 patients with BCC) and the low quality of studies reported. Management of cutaneous toxicities of EGFR inhibitors is necessary, and guidelines are available. Proactive therapy might also prevent skin toxicity of higher grades, with EGFR inhibitor cetuximab as an option for recurrent or advanced NMSC of the skin. It seems to be justified particularly in very high risk epithelial tumors. There is an urgent need for Phase III trials. In the future, combined drug therapy with other monoclonal antibodies and/or radiotherapy may further improve efficacy and response rates for NMSC.
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Authors | Uwe Wollina |
Journal | Expert opinion on biological therapy
(Expert Opin Biol Ther)
Vol. 14
Issue 2
Pg. 271-6
(Feb 2014)
ISSN: 1744-7682 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 24387664
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
|
Chemical References |
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
- Antineoplastic Agents
- EGFR protein, human
- ErbB Receptors
- Cetuximab
|
Topics |
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
(therapeutic use)
- Antineoplastic Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Carcinoma, Basal Cell
(drug therapy)
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
(drug therapy)
- Cetuximab
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- ErbB Receptors
(chemistry)
- Humans
- Skin Neoplasms
(drug therapy)
- Treatment Outcome
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