The monoclonal antibody cetuximab, marketed as Erbitux, has been given market approval by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of head and neck cancers in combination with chemotherapy.
Approved came on the heels of data from a European trial that involved over 400 patients with treatment-naïve head and neck cancer. The data showed an improved survival time of 10.1 months compared to 7.4 with chemotherapy alone.
Cetuximab is an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb. It was first approved by the FDA in 2004 for colorectal cancer. it was approved later in 2006 as first-line treatment for non-metastatic head and neck cancer in combination with radiotherapy,as well as single agent treatment for head and neck tumors that spread despite having received chemotherapy.
Source: FDA
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