Radiotherapy + cetuximab significantly improve disease control and survival in head and n...( Combination treatment using the monoclo...),Health

Combination treatment using the monoclonal antibody cetuximab, along with high dose radiotherapy in the treatment of patients with loco-regionally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck results in significant improvements in both loco-regional control and overall survival, according to Dr. Jordi Giralt of Val d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain, speaking here today (Tuesday 26th October) at the 23rd Meeting of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology.

Head and neck cancers (e.g. oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx) account for around 5% of all cancers and are responsible for around 200,000 deaths globally each year. The development of head and neck cancers is strongly linked to tobacco use. Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for nearly 95% of all head and neck cancers and the majority of these express the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) that is associated with aggressive tumour growth and poor clinical outcome. Head and neck cancer is normally treated with high dose radiotherapy in combination with surgery.

These phase III results were based on data from 424 patients (recruited from April 1999 - March 2002) with a median follow-up of 38 months. Patients with loco-regionally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, hypopharynx or larynx were randomised to receive either high-dose radiation alone for 6-7 weeks, or high-dose radiation plus weekly cetuximab. Cetuximab is a monoclonal antibody raised against EGFR. It is thought to work by binding to the EGFR so that epidermal growth factors cannot bind and stimulate the cells to grow. Pre-clinical studies have demonstrated radiosensitisation (enhancing the effect of radiation) with anti-EGFR treatments.

Median survival in the combined treatment arm was 54 months, versus 28 months in the radiotherapy alone arm. At 3 years post-treatment the overall survival benefit of the combined treatment was 57%, compared to 44% in the radiotherapy alo
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Contact: Stuart Bell
stuart@fecs.be
32-2-775-0207
Federation of European Cancer Societies
26-Oct-2004

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