A Retrospective Study: The Effect And Adverse Reactions Of Cetuximab

Background and purpose:In recent years, cetuximab combining with chemotherapy/radiotherapy is getting more and more promoting in anti-tumor therapy field. Cetuximab is getting popular in the treatment of lung cancer, colorectal cancer and head and neck cancer. The evidence of curative effect and adverse effects are obvious and scattered in all kinds of literatures. To review current clinical information and adverse events, and offer indirect experience in the further study and clinical treatment on the adverse events, this retrospective study based on 34 patients who were treated with cetuximab combining with chemotherapy was carried out. Methods:Since Oct 2006 till Mar 2011,34 patients totally who were treated with cetuximab combining with chemotherapy were collected. Analyzing the curative effect and adverse effects, the treatment of adverse effects are summarized. Conclusion:common adverse effects are acne-like rash (61.8%), neutropenia (64.7%), gastrointestinal reactions (55.9%), mucositis (29.4%) and diarrhea (35.3%). All patients could tolerate and continue after symptomatic treatment. Patients using cetuximab combining with chemotherapy as first-line treatment has a higher response rate vs non-first-line treatment (58.3% vs 18.2%, P=0.035).