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Review
. 2010 Apr;31(4):626-7.
doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A2054. Epub 2010 Feb 18.

Cetuximab (erbitux)

W Bou-Assaly  1 , S Mukherji
Affiliations
Review

Cetuximab (erbitux)

W Bou-Assaly et al. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2010 Apr.

Abstract

Cetuximab, a recombinant chimeric monoclonal antibody, has been successfully used in the treatment of the head and neck and colorectal cancers. We present a review of its mechanism of action, indications, side effects and economic issues, accompanied by a clinical example from our institution.

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Figures

Fig 1.
Fig 1.
Schematic representation of normal expression of EGFR (HER1) (A) and the overexpression of EGFR (B).
Fig 2.
Fig 2.
Illustration of the EGFR (HER1) pathway. Ligand binding to EGFR results in dimerization. Successful dimerization results in initiation of a cascade, which results in cell proliferation.
Fig 3.
Fig 3.
Illustration of the effect of cetuximab on the EGFR (HER1) pathway. Cetuximab binding to the EGFR prevents dimerization and the downstream cascade.
Fig 4.
Fig 4.
Axial contrast-enhanced CT scans demonstrate an aggressive SCC involving the left true vocal cord (A), which extends superiorly to involve the left aryepiglottic fold (B) (arrowheads). The patient was treated with cetuximab and radiation therapy. C and D, Following treatment, there is a substantial reduction in the size of the lesion (arrowhead) compared with the pretreatment study.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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