cetuximab

Cetuximab is a recombinant chimeric human/mouse IgG1 monoclonal antibody that targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a transmembrane glycoprotein involved in regulating epithelial tissue development and homeostasis. Cetuximab binds with high specificity and affinity to EGFR, competitively inhibiting the binding of natural ligands such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-α). This inhibition prevents EGFR activation, blocking downstream signaling pathways including MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and Jak/Stat. The result is reduced tumor cell proliferation, survival, motility, invasion, increased apoptosis, and decreased production of matrix metalloproteinase and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Cetuximab is primarily indicated for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer expressing wild-type K-Ras with EGFR expression as well as squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. It may be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy or radiation therapy[1][2][7][8].

Brand names

Erbitux

Other names

Imclone C225