Cetuximab

Name	Cetuximab
Classes	Anticancer/Antineoplastic Agent EGFR Inhibitor
Diseases	Cancer Colon Cancer Head Cancer Neck Cancer Rectum Cancer

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Cetuximab

Cetuximab is a monoclonal antibody that is used to treat various cancers. Cetuximab is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor. EGFR is a transmembrane glycoprotein of a subfamily of type I receptor tyrosine kinases. Expression of EGFR is also detected in many human cancers including those of the head and neck, colon, and rectum. Cetuximab binds to EGFR and prevents binding and subsequent activation of EGFR by epidermal growth factor produced by both normal and cancerous cells.

Indication and Usage

Rituximab is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antagonist indicated for treatment of:

Head and Neck Cancer

Locally or regionally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in combination with radiation therapy
Recurrent locoregional disease or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in combination with platinum based therapy with fluorouracil
Recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck progressing after platinum-based therapy

Colorectal Cancer

K-Ras wild-type, EGFR-expressing, metastatic colorectal cancer as determined by an FDA-approved test
in combination with Folinic acid+ Fluorouracil+ Irinotecan (FOLFIRI) for first-line treatment
in combination with irinotecan in patients who are refractory to irinotecan-based chemotherapy
as a single agent in patients who have failed oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based chemotherapy or who are intolerant to irinotecan.

Head Cancer

Neck Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

Dosage & Administration (How to take this medication)

Recommended Dosage for Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck:

In combination with radiation therapy or platinum-based therapy and fluorouracil

The recommended initial dose is 400 mg/m² administered one week prior to initiating a course of radiation therapy or on the first day of platinum-based therapy and fluorouracil as a 120-minute intravenous infusion.
The recommended subsequent dosage (all other infusions) is 250 mg/m² weekly as a 60-minute infusion for the duration of radiation therapy (6–7 weeks) or until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity when administered in combination with platinum-based therapy and fluorouracil.
Complete ERBITUX administration 1 hour prior to radiation therapy or platinum-based therapy with fluorouracil.

Monotherapy

The recommended initial dose is 400 mg/m² administered as a 120-minute intravenous infusion.
The recommended subsequent dosage (all other infusions) is 250 mg/m² weekly as a 60-minute infusion until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Recommended Dosage for Colorectal Cancer (CRC)

Determine EGFR-expression status using FDA-approved tests prior to initiating treatment. Also confirm the absence of a Ras mutation prior to initiation of treatment with Cetuximab.

The recommended initial dose, either as monotherapy or in combination with irinotecan or FOLFIRI (irinotecan, fluorouracil, leucovorin), is 400 mg/m² administered as a 120-minute intravenous infusion.
The recommended subsequent dosage, either as monotherapy or in combination with irinotecan or FOLFIRI, is 250 mg/m² weekly as a 60-minute infusion until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Complete Cetuximab administration 1 hour prior to irinotecan or FOLFIRI.