Conen Katrin L, Fischer Natalie, Hofbauer Günther F L, Shafaeddin-Schreve Bahar, Winterhalder Ralph, Rochlitz Christoph, Zippelius Alfred
Universitätsspital Basel, Medizinische Onkologie, Basel, Switzerland.
Dermatology. 2014;229(2):97-101. doi: 10.1159/000362384. Epub 2014 Jun 7.
There is current evidence that non-melanoma skin cancers can be successfully treated with cetuximab.
To evaluate the use and efficacy of cetuximab (with or without radiotherapy) in a series of previously treated patients with metastatic squamous cell cancer of the skin (SCCS) in Switzerland.
We performed a retrospective analysis of six patients from four centers. Endpoints were disease control rates (DCRs) at 4-8 weeks, 12-14 weeks and 20-36 weeks of treatment. Treatment-related toxicity was evaluated additionally.
A median of 14 cycles of cetuximab were applied. DCR was 67% at 4-8 weeks, 50% at 12-14 weeks and 33% at 20-36 weeks. In 4-8 weeks responders, mean relapse-free time was 12 ± 6.2 months and mean overall survival was 25 ± 16.2 months. Grade I-III acne-like rash developed around week 3 of treatment in 83%.
Cetuximab treatment in patients with metastatic SCCS achieved an overall DCR of 67% at 4-8 weeks of treatment. This study underlines the current evidence that SCCS can be successfully treated with cetuximab.
