The efficacy of combined treatment with cetuximab (erbitux) and radiation therapy in patients with head and neck cancer

J BUON. 2009 Jan-Mar;14(1):19-25.

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) region is among the most frequent human tumors due to the alcohol and tobacco abuse. Its management has evolved gradually from surgery as the mainstay of therapy to irradiation as the principal treatment. When radiation therapy is combined with chemotherapy, additional benefit is obtained. The value of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is, however, counterbalanced by increased and often prohibitive toxicity, particularly among patients with coexisting medical conditions and decreased performance status. A member of the ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases known as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is abnormally activated in epithelial cancers, including head and neck cancers. Overexpression of EGFR is a feature associated with poor clinical outcome. It is observed that radiation increases the expression of EGFR in cancer cells and the blockade of EGFR signaling sensitizes cells to the effects of radiation. The cytotoxic effects of radiation therapy in squamous cell carcinoma could be enhanced by cetuximab (erbitux), a monoclonal antibody against the ligand-binding domain of EGFR. The major studies that focus on the efficacy of adding cetuximab to radiotherapy in the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer and its impact in quality of life are reviewed in this study.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / radiotherapy*
  • Cetuximab
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Humans
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Quality of Life
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Cetuximab