Cetuximab (Erbitux) Increases Survival in Advanced Lung Cancer

Cetuximab (Erbitux®), increases survival in those with advanced lung cancer by 5 weeks when combined with chemotherapy, according to a recent study.

This phase 3 trial presented at a recent meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, evaluated over a thousand patients in 30 countries with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Though 5 weeks may appear modest, this study offers hope for this group of lung cancer patients that have a 1 year survival rate of less than 50%. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide.

Cetuximab belongs to a category of treatment options known as targeted therapies. Designed to treat cancer more specifically than chemotherapy, there are often fewer side effects than those found with traditional chemotherapy drugs. The most common side effect of cetuximab is an acne-type of rash that affects 10% of individuals treated.

Further reading

• Targeted Therapies for Lung Cancer
• Types and Phases of Clinical Trials
• Clinical Trials - Participating in Clinical Trials