Combination of an EGFR blocker and a COX-2 inhibitor for the treatment of advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2008 Dec;6(12):1066-9.
doi: 10.1111/j.1610-0387.2008.06861.x.
[Article in
English,
German]
Affiliation
- 1 Division of Immunology, Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna. ahmad.jalili@meduniwien.ac.at
Abstract
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is expressed at the cell surface by more than 90% of SCCs and its activation is responsible for cell cycle progression, proliferation, survival, angiogenesis and metastasis. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an enzyme up-regulated through EGFR signaling and responsible for some of the EGFR-dependent biological effects. An 88-year-old man presented with a recurrent, locoregionally meta-static SCC of the right parietal region, which was resistant to radiotherapy. With a combination therapy of an EGFR blocker (cetuximab) and a COX-2 inhibitor (celecoxib), the tumor regressed partially and the patient's Karnofsky index improved. We speculate that the combined use of cetuximab and COX-2 inhibitors can be a new and effective therapy for advanced and recurrent cutaneous SCCs.
MeSH terms
-
Aged, 80 and over
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage*
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
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Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
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Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage*
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy*
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Celecoxib
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Cetuximab
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Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
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Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / administration & dosage
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ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors*
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Humans
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Male
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Pyrazoles / administration & dosage*
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Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis
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Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy*
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Sulfonamides / administration & dosage*
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Treatment Outcome
Substances
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Antibodies, Monoclonal
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
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Antineoplastic Agents
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Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors
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Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors
-
Pyrazoles
-
Sulfonamides
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EGFR protein, human
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ErbB Receptors
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Celecoxib
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Cetuximab