Monoclonal antibodyFDA-approvedFirst-line
Cetuximab
How it works
Binds the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on cancer cells, blocking growth signals and flagging the cells for immune destruction.
Cancer types
Melanoma— EGFR-expressing
Colorectal Cancer— Wild-type KRAS
Lung Cancer— All patients
Pancreatic Cancer— EGFR-expressing
Efficacy
In clinical trials, around 40% of EGFR-expressing patients achieved an objective response, with median progression-free survival of approximately 4 months.
Side effects
Moderate
Side effects can be significant and may require dose adjustments or supportive medication, but the treatment is usually continued.
Evidence from research
| Study | Cancer type | Stage | Efficacy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Testing Adagrasib in Combination with Cetuximab and Irinotecan for Colorectal Cancer | Colorectal Cancer | phase-1 | — | Source → |
| Testing Fruquintinib and Cetuximab-beta for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer | Colorectal Cancer | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Testing Combination Therapy for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer with KRAS G12C Mutations | Colorectal Cancer | phase-1/2 | — | Source → |
| Testing New Combination Therapy for Advanced Colorectal Cancer | Colorectal Cancer | phase-1 | — | Source → |
| Testing VS-7375 in Pancreatic Cancer Patients with KRAS G12D Mutation | Pancreatic Cancer | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Testing a New Treatment for Colorectal Cancer | Colorectal Cancer | phase-1 | — | Source → |
| Study of a New Treatment for Advanced Colorectal Cancer | Colorectal Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| NK Cells Show Promise Against Solid Tumors in Lab Experiments | Lung Cancer | lab-study | — | Source → |
| Butyrate May Reduce Effectiveness of Colorectal Cancer Treatment | Colorectal Cancer | lab-study | — | Source → |
| Machine Learning Predicts Cancer Treatment Outcomes | Colorectal Cancer | phase-3 | Higher toxicity clusters were associated with improved overall survival and progression-free survival outcomes (adjusted hazard ratios ranging from 2.21 to 4.36) and higher CET concentrations (p = .003). | Source → |
| RAS Mutations in Blood Linked to Poorer Outcomes in Colorectal Cancer | Colorectal Cancer | phase-2 | The presence of ctDNA RAS mutations at any time point was significantly associated with poorer progression-free survival (adjusted HR = 2.24, P = .02). | Source → |
| Woman with Advanced Colon Cancer Treated with Chemotherapy | Colorectal Cancer | observational | — | Source → |
| Rare Cancer Complication Found in Patient with BRAF Mutated Colon Cancer | Colorectal Cancer | observational | — | Source → |
| Comparing Two Cancer Treatments in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer | Colorectal Cancer | phase-3 | There was no significant difference in median overall survival between treatment groups (9.1 months vs 10.1 months). | Source → |
| Combining Chemotherapy and Anti-EGFR Antibody May Help Some Colorectal Cancer Patients | Colorectal Cancer | meta-analysis | The pooled objective response rate was 85% (95% CI, 0.78-0.91; I = 58%) and the pooled rate of R0 resection was 42% (95% CI, 0.32-0.53; I = 62%). | Source → |
| Combining two drugs may help some colorectal cancer patients | Colorectal Cancer | preclinical | Vertical inhibition with trametinib and cetuximab induced SD or PR in 74% of analysed models. | Source → |
| Cancer Study Finds Survival Rates for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients | Colorectal Cancer | observational | The median overall survival was 10.4 months, with 6.6 months for patients with right colon cancers and 11.5 months for left colon cancers. | Source → |
| RAS Mutations Emerge in Some Patients on Cetuximab | Leukemia | observational | The subgroup of patients with RAS mutations exhibited significantly inferior progression-free survival (P = 0.002) and overall survival (P = 0.027). | Source → |
| Combining Two Cancer Drugs May Help Some Patients with Advanced Colorectal Cancer | Colorectal Cancer | phase-2 | The 4-month disease control rate was 20%. | Source → |
| Understanding Cetuximab Resistance in Colorectal Cancer | Colorectal Cancer | lab-study | — | Source → |
| Understanding Cetuximab Resistance in Colorectal Cancer | Colorectal Cancer | lab-study | — | Source → |
| Combining Two Targeted Therapies for Rare Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Bevacizumab plus chemotherapy may be better for some colorectal cancer patients | Colorectal Cancer | observational | Patients treated with bevacizumab-based chemotherapy had a median overall survival of 30.0 months compared to 26.3 months for those treated with cetuximab-based chemotherapy. | Source → |
| Combining Cetuximab with Chemotherapy for Liver Cancer | Colorectal Cancer | phase-2 | The rate of no evidence of disease achieved was 70.1% in the cetuximab group and 41.2% in the control group. | Source → |
This information is provided for general education only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making treatment decisions.