Onkologie. 2009:3(5):303-307

Cetuximab and irinotecan in therapy of chemoresistent metastatic colorectal cancer

Ilona Kocáková, MUDr. Ivo Kocák Ph.D, Radim Němeček

Klinika komplexní onkologické péče MOÚ a LF MU Brno

It is estimated that 50 % of colorectal cancer patients develop metastases and eventually die of the disease. Epidermal growth factor

receptor is often overexpressed in colorectal cancer and is associated with increased tumor stage, worse histologic grade and lower

survival rates. Cetuximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor and thereby inhibits

cell proliferation, metastasis and angiogenesis. Cetuximab improves tumor response when used in conjunction with chemotherapy in

patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Improved treatment efficacy may help to increase the rate of hepatic resection after downsizing

of initially unresectable lesions. In pretreated patients, cetuximab may restore the sensitivity to irinotecan and, therefore, has been

registered in combination with irinotecan for the treatment of patients with EGFR-expressing metastatic colorectal cancer after failure

of irinotecan-including cytotoxic therapy.

Keywords: colorectal cancer, cetuximab, irinotecan.

Published: December 1, 2009  Show citation