Our experience of treating recurrent and advanced oral cancer with cetuximab

an investigation of two cases of severe adverse events

Abstract

The therapeutic strategy for unresectable recurrent and advanced oral cancer is limited and so it is important to develop new therapeutic methods. Although cetuximab, as a molecular-targeted drug against epidermal growth factor receptor, is expected to have significant therapeutic efficiency in oral cancer patients, the incidence of IR during the administration or post-administration of monoclonal antibody has been reported. Cases of drug-induced interstitial pneumonia with cetuximab therapy also have been reported. We have experienced 11 cases of cetuximab therapy in unresectable recurrent and advanced oral cancer patients, in which there were 2 cases of severe IR and 1 case of drug-induced interstitial pneumonia. The patients with risk factors for infusion reaction and interstitial pneumonia must be checked carefully before starting cetuximab therapy.