Related pages Drug Information Summaries Approval Process for New Cancer Treatments Access to Investigational Drugs: Q & A

This page contains brief information about cetuximab and a collection of links to more information from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Library of Medicine (NLM).

US Brand Name(s):		Erbitux
FDA Approved:		Yes

Cetuximab is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat colorectal cancer that has metastasized (spread to other parts of the body) or has recurred (come back). Cetuximab is sometimes used together with another drug called irinotecan.

Cetuximab is also approved by the FDA to treat advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

Cetuximab is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

Patient Information Sheet on Cetuximab - A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:

• FDA warnings or alerts about this drug,
• what this drug is used for and how it is used,
• what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
• what you should know about this drug before using it,
• other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
• possible side effects.

Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This FDA patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the medicine. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.

FDA Approval for Cetuximab - Information from the FDA about the approval of this drug and the clinical trials that led to the approval.

Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

Clinical Trial Results: Cetuximab Plus Chemotherapy Extends Survival for Advanced Lung Cancer (06/19/2008) - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Colorectal Cancer Drugs Require Careful Patient Selection (06/18/2008) - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Cetuximab Plus Chemotherapy Extends Survival in Advanced Head and Neck Cancer (06/26/2007) - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Cetuximab Beneficial in Head and Neck Cancer (06/05/2004) - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Cetuximab Combination More Effective Than Cetuximab Alone in Colorectal Cancer (06/01/2003) - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

MedlinePlus Information on Cetuximab - A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:

• warnings about this drug,
• what this drug is used for and how it is used,
• what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
• what you should know about this drug before using it,
• other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
• possible side effects.

Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This NLM patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.

Clinical Trials for Cetuximab - Check for trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry now accepting patients.

Back to Top