cetuximab + fluorouracil + leucovorin calcium + oxaliplatin

This is a combination regimen consisting of four agents: - Cetuximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), inhibiting downstream signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation and survival. - Fluorouracil (5-FU) is an antimetabolite that inhibits thymidylate synthase, disrupting DNA synthesis and function. - Leucovorin calcium (folinic acid) enhances the binding of 5-FU to thymidylate synthase, increasing its cytotoxicity. - Oxaliplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent that forms DNA crosslinks and induces apoptosis. The combination is used primarily as first-line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with wild-type RAS genes and has also been studied in advanced gastric cancer. The addition of cetuximab to standard oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy regimens such as FOLFOX or FUFOX has demonstrated improved response rates and progression-free survival in selected patient populations[1][2][3][4][5]. Cetuximab does not significantly increase the characteristic toxicity profile of the chemotherapy backbone but may add specific adverse effects such as acneiform rash[3][5].

Brand names

Erbitux

Other names

FOLFOX plus cetuximabFOLFOX/cetuximabcetuximab with FOLFOXFUFOX plus cetuximab