A multicenter phase II trial of single-agent cetuximab in advanced esophageal and XXXX .

@entity1 @entity137 @entity470 @entity5 @entity669 @entity356
BACKGROUND: @entity470 ( @entity470 ) is overexpressed in a significant proportion of esophageal and @entity356 . Although previous studies have examined @entity669 kinase inhibitors of @entity470 , there remains limited data regarding the role of @entity470 -directed monoclonal antibody therapy in these @entity5 . We carried out a multi-institutional phase II study of cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody against @entity470 , in @entity1 with unresectable or metastatic esophageal or @entity356 . @entity1 AND METHODS: Thirty-five @entity1 with previously treated metastatic esophageal or @entity356 were treated with weekly cetuximab, at an initial dose of 400 mg/m(2) followed by weekly infusions at 250 mg/m(2). @entity1 were followed for @entity137 , treatment response, and survival. RESULTS: Treatment with cetuximab was well tolerated; no @entity1 were taken off study due to drug-related adverse events. One (3%) partial treatment response was noted. Two (6%) @entity1 had stable disease after 2 months of treatment. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 1.6 and 3.1 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although well tolerated, cetuximab administered as a single agent had minimal clinical activity in @entity1 with metastatic esophageal and @entity356 . Ongoing studies of @entity470 inhibitors in combination with other agents may define a role for these agents in the treatment of esophageal and @entity356 .
