Cetuximab

2006-10-24T03:15:00.000-07:00

Cetuximab (Erbitux®) is a colourless liquid. It is given by drip into the vein (intravenous) using a fine tube or cannula inserted into the vein. The first dose is given slowly, usually over two hours. After this, doses are given weekly and this normally takes about an hour.

Possible Side-effects

Allergic reactions. Signs of a reaction include skin rashes and itching, a feeling of swelling in the tongue or throat, irritation of the nasal passages, wheezing, a cough and breathlessness.
Skin changes. Mild skin rashes. They begin during the first two weeks of treatment and usually go away completely when the treatment ends. Some people have more severe skin changes, which can include reddening of the skin, and red pimples and spots (like acne) on the face. The skin of the face may become flaky and scaly. Some people have dry skin, eczema on their fingertips, elbows and extremities, which is sore and itchy.
Breathlessness. This is more likely if you have an existing lung problem. Let your doctor know if you notice any increase in breathlessness.
Nausea (feeling sick) and less commonly vomiting.
Diarrhoea.
Fever and chills.
Sore eyes.

Research Results

David Cunnigham et al. 2004. Cetuximab monotherapy and cetuximab plus Irinotecan in Irinotecan-refractory metastatic colorectal cancer. The New England J of Medicine. 351: 337-345.

218 patients received cetuximab + irinotecan. The median survival time was 9.6 months. Toxic effects were more frequent in this group.
111 patients received cetuximab alone. The median survival time was 6.9 months

Conclusion: Cetuximab has clinically significat activity when given alone or in combination with irinotecan in patients with irinotecan-refractory colorecatal cancer.

Cancer Answers response: Cetuximab is not shown to cure colon cancer at all. It does not even prolong live for even a year!

Erbitux = Big Money

2006-10-02T07:50:00.000-07:00

ERBITUX MARKET: Big Money - A Fortune to be Made

The drug was approved last February, 2005. Currently the sales of Erbitux totaled $97.8 million, up 37 percent from a year ago (2004) and 12 percent from the first quarter.

ImClone which receives royalty payments on U.S. sales of the drug from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., saw $38.1 million from these sales, up from about $34 million in the first quarter.

This drug may generate a huge revenue, if the manufacturer wins expanded approval for treating other cancers, such as head and neck cancers, and win approval to sell it in more countries. Currently, this drug costs about $10,000 a month.