Introduction: Cetuximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody targeting the EGFR, which has proven effective in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), wild-type Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS).
Areas covered: The aim of this manuscript is to discuss the current impact of cetuximab in the most important scenarios of mCRC. We review the currently available data regarding the role of other biomarkers, such as the mutational status of neuroblastoma RAS viral (v-ras) oncogene homolog in identifying patients who could benefit most from anti-EGFR. In addition, a review is included of the most relevant clinical trials that have assessed the effectiveness of cetuximab in the management of patients with potentially resectable metastatic disease and in the first-line treatment of wild-type KRAS mCRC, as well as the impact of this anti-EGFR agent on patient quality of life.
Expert opinion: Cetuximab has had a progressive clinical development from the earliest to the later stages of the evolution of mCRC and has been consolidated as a therapeutic option for all scenarios of unresectable disease. Patient selection by analysis of KRAS mutations has been a fundamental event to increase efficiency, being a dynamic process that continues in assessment. There are few comparative data with other biological agents in combination with chemotherapy, although data from a recent study are promising.