The role of cetuximab for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC), while curable in many cases with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, remains a disease that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Agents that target the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have demonstrated beneficial effects in this disease. The Food and Drug Administration approved cetuximab-a monoclonal antibody-in conjunction with radiation, for locally advanced, potentially curable disease, and also as a single agent for incurable recurrent/metastatic disease. In addition, there are more recent data showing a survival benefit for patients with recurrent/metastatic disease who were treated with a first-line regimen of platinum, fluorouracil and cetuximab. These promising results have had a significant impact on the standard of care for HNSCC, and have prompted further research on the role of EGFR inhibitors in the treatment of HNSCC. In the following review, we will discuss the history, mechanism, and clinical trials that pertain to the role of cetuximab in the treatment of HNSCC.