Cetuximab

Cetuximab is a recombinant chimeric human/mouse IgG1 monoclonal antibody that competitively binds to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and competitively inhibits the binding of epidermal growth factor (EGF). EGFR is a member of the ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases found in both normal and tumour cells; it is responsible for regulating epithelial tissue development and homeostasis. EGFR has been implicated in various types of cancer, as it is often overexpressed in malignant cells and EGFR overexpression has been linked to more advanced disease and poor prognosis. EGFR is often mutated in certain types of cancer and serves as a driver of tumorigenesis. In vitro, cetuximab was shown to mediate anti-tumour effects in numerous cancer cell lines and human tumour xenografts. Approved by the FDA in February 2004 under the brand name ERBITUX, cetuximab is used to treat head and neck cancer and metastatic, KRAS wild-type colorectal cancer, and metastatic colorectal cancer with a BRAF V600E mutation. It has also been investigated in advanced colorectal cancer, EGFR-expressing non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and unresectable squamous cell skin cancer. Cetuximab is administered via intravenous infusion and is used as monotherapy or in combination with other chemotherapies, including platinum agents, radiation therapy, [leucovorin], [fluorouracil], and [irinotecan]. It is grouped under the following drug class(es): Antineoplastic agents and Monoclonal antibodies. Its therapeutic use is listed as anti-cancer agents. The directory classifies it as a commercial API with a peptide source/manufacturing origin. Other names for this substance include Chimeric MoAb C225 and Cetuximabum. Its PubChem SID is 481101564.