Open AccessTreatment dilemmas of cetuximab combined with chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer
Author(s) -
Feng Wen,
Qiu Li
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.v22.i23.5332
Subject(s) - cetuximab , irinotecan , oxaliplatin , medicine , colorectal cancer , panitumumab , epidermal growth factor receptor , oncology , chemotherapy , monoclonal antibody , bevacizumab , egfr inhibitors , fluorouracil , cancer , immunology , antibody
Although monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have largely enriched the available therapeutic choices for colorectal cancer (CRC), the understanding and management of their associated clinical toxicities are limited. In addition, the combined strategies of administering EGFR mAbs and traditional cytotoxic agents, such as 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin and irinotecan, have resulted in a more complicated management of CRC treatment-related side effects compared with EGFR mAb monotherapy. We believe that a thorough recognition of the toxicities of EGFR mAb drugs is essential for physicians to increase the therapeutic index in the treatment of CRC. This review aims to summarize the existing information regarding the treatment dilemmas of cetuximab combined with chemotherapy in the management of metastatic CRC.