cetuximab + irinotecan

Cetuximab + irinotecan is a combination therapy used primarily for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, especially in patients who have progressed after standard therapies such as fluoropyrimidine and oxaliplatin. Cetuximab is a chimeric IgG1 monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), blocking ligand-induced activation and downstream signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Irinotecan is a small molecule topoisomerase I inhibitor that interferes with DNA replication in cancer cells. The combination has demonstrated improved progression-free survival and response rates compared to irinotecan alone in clinical trials for advanced colorectal cancer[1][5][6]. Cetuximab enhances the cytotoxic effects of irinotecan by inhibiting EGFR-mediated resistance mechanisms[4][6]. This regimen is typically used in patients with EGFR-expressing tumors without certain KRAS mutations.

Brand names

CamptosarErbitux

Other names

none