Nimotuzumab, a novel monoclonal antibody to the epidermal growth factor receptor, in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a promising therapeutic target in non-small cell lung cancer, and several therapeutic agents that target this receptor, including EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies to EGFR, have been developed. Such monoclonal antibodies have shown efficacy in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Nimotuzumab (h-R3) is a humanized monoclonal antibody to EGFR, and its effects in combination with radiation have been sufficiently promising to warrant further investigation in several types of cancer. Furthermore, the typical severe dermatologic toxicities associated with other monoclonal antibodies to EGFR have not been observed with nimotuzumab. We here summarize the results of preclinical studies as well as of previous and ongoing clinical trials of nimotuzumab for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.