(seh-TUK-sih-mab)
This page contains brief information about cetuximab (Erbitux) and a collection of links to more information about the use of this drug, research results, and ongoing clinical trials.
FDA label information for this drug is available at DailyMed.
Use in Cancer
Cetuximab is approved to be used alone or with other drugs to treat:
- Colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is used:
- In patients whose cancer has the EGFR protein and the wild-type KRAS gene. It is used:
- With FOLFIRI combination chemotherapy as the first treatment.
- With irinotecan hydrochloride in patients whose cancer was treated with chemotherapy that included irinotecan hydrochloride but it did not work or is no longer working.
- Alone in patients whose cancer did not respond to oxaliplatin and irinotecan hydrochloride or who cannot be treated with irinotecan hydrochloride.
- In adults whose cancer has a certain mutation in the BRAF gene. It is given with encorafenib.
- In patients whose cancer has the EGFR protein and the wild-type KRAS gene. It is used:
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. It is used:
- With radiation therapy in patients with locally or regionally advanced cancer.
- With platinum chemotherapy and fluorouracil in patients with locally or regionally recurrent cancer or metastatic cancer.
- Alone in patients with recurrent or metastatic cancer that got worse after platinum chemotherapy.
Cetuximab is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
More About Cetuximab
Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary – Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.
More About Cetuximab – A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:
- warnings about this drug,
- what this drug is used for and how it is used,
- what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
- what you should know about this drug before using it,
- other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
- possible side effects.
Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.
Research Results and Related Resources
Clinical Trials Accepting Patients
Find Clinical Trials for Cetuximab – Check for trials from NCI’s list of cancer clinical trials now accepting patients.
