Head & neck cancer
Cetuximab is indicated in … Read more
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Of The Head And Neck (SCCHN): Cetuximab is indicated in combination with radiation therapy for the initial treatment of locally or regionally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
Cetuximab is indicated in combination with platinum-based therapy with 5-FU for the first-line treatment of patients with recurrent locoregional disease or metastatic squamous cell carcinomaof the head and neck.
Cetuximab, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck for whom prior platinum-based therapy has failed.
K-Ras Wild-Type, EGFR-Expressing Colorectal Cancer: Cetuximab is indicated for the treatment of K-Ras wild-type, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)- expressing, metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) as determined by FDA-approved tests for this use
- In combination with FOLFIRI (irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin) for first-line treatment
- In combination with irinotecan in patients who are refractory to irinotecan-based chemotherapy
- As a single agent in patients who have failed oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based chemotherapy or who are intolerant to irinotecan.
Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether Cetuximab is secreted in human milk. IgG antibodies, such as Cetuximab, can be excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from Cetuximab, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother. If nursing is interrupted, based on the mean half-life of cetuximab, nursing should not be resumed earlier than 60 days following the last dose of Cetuximab.
Dose modification in cases of severe acneiform rash (grade 3 or 4):
- 1st occurrence: Delay infusion by 1-2 wk. If improvement, continue at 250 mg/m2; discontinue if no improvement.
- 2nd occurrence: Delay infusion by1-2 wk. If improvement, continue at reduced dose of 200 mg/m2; discontinue if no improvement.
- 3rd occurrence: Delay infusion by 1-2 wk. If improvement, continue at reduced dose of 150 mg/m2; discontinue if no improvement. 4th occurrence: Discontinue therapy.
