Cetuximab is a targeted therapy directed against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). It should only be used if there is evidence that it would be improve patient outcome.
Potential indications for cetuximab therapy in a patient with colon cancer:
(1) metastatic disease (Stage IV)
(2) recurrence after a potentially curative resection
Cetuximab is only effective in patients with a wild type K-ras gene. One or more mutations at codon 12 and 13 of K-ras gene render the drug ineffective.
Process:
(1) Determine if the patient is a potential candidate for cetuximab therapy.
(2) Administer cetuximab if the patient has wild type K-ras (no mutations).
The median survival with cetuximab therapy was 9.5 months versus 4.8 months without. Only a small number of patients treated with cetuximab lived 16 months.
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