Cetuximab in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer

Cetuximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor and thereby inhibits cell proliferation, metastasis and angiogenesis. Preclinical studies indicate that cetuximab induces synergistic antitumor activity when combined with chemotherapy or radiation. This observation is supported by clinical trials demonstrating that cetuximab improves tumor response when used in conjunction with modern chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Improved treatment efficacy may help to increase the rate of hepatic metastasis resection after downsizing of initially unresectable lesions. In pretreated patients, cetuximab may restore the sensitivity to irinotecan and, therefore, has been registered in this setting. Ongoing studies are investigating the integration of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor strategies into new treatment regimens. Promising results have already been obtained in a trial combining irinotecan, bevacizumab and cetuximab.