What are the side effects of cetuximab?
The following side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking cetuximab:
- Skin reactions: In most people, this will present as an acne like rash and will develop within the first 2 weeks of therapy.
- Generalized weakness, fatigue.
- Weight loss and poor appetite.
- Diarrhea.
- Nausea and Vomiting.
Is cetuximab chemotherapy?
Cetuximab-based chemotherapy is a standard of care for patients with RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) (1). However, it is not used as curative intent and the disease generally relapses or get progressive.
What is irinotecan used for?
Irinotecan is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat colon or rectal cancer (cancer that begins in the large intestine). Irinotecan is in a class of antineoplastic medications called topoisomerase I inhibitors. It works by stopping the growth of cancer cells.
How successful is cetuximab?
Cetuximab also has activity as monotherapy in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic SCCHN who had failed platinum-based chemotherapy,. with a 12.6% response rate, disease control rate of 46%, and median response duration of ~ 6 months.
Does RITUXAN weaken immune system?
Rituximab suppresses the immune system. Therefore, serious fungal, bacterial, and new or reactivated viral infections (for example, hepatitis B or C, shingles) can occur during or after treatment with rituximab.
When to use irinotecan or cetuximab for cancer?
Any prior therapy with irinotecan or cetuximab or an EGFR targeting agent. Any systemic therapy administered for metastatic or locally recurrent colorectal cancer within 28 days of study treatment. Patients who are considered candidates for surgical resection of metastatic and/or locally advanced disease.
What’s the best dose of irinotecan for second line cancer?
Irinotecan and Cetuximab for Colorectal Cancer as Second Line Therapy. The starting dose of irinotecan for patients who are 70 years old or greater, or who have had radiation therapy to the abdomen or pelvis, or whose level of functioning is poor (performance status of 2) will have a starting dose of 150 mg/m2 for irinotecan.
Which is better, irinotecan or fluorouracil alone?
Irinotecan alone can also confer benefit in patients with colorectal cancer that is refractory to treatment with fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin can be effective in patients with disease that is refractory to irinotecan treatment.
How are oxaliplatin and irinotecan used to treat cancer?
Irinotecan (a semisynthetic camptothecin, which inhibits topoisomerase I) and oxaliplatin (a third-generation platinum compound) are widely used in combination with fluorouracil and leucovorin as first-line treatment for advanced colorectal cancer.
