Cetuximab is used for which type of cancer?

Cetuximab is a monoclonal antibody that specifically targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which plays a critical role in cell growth and tumor progression. It is primarily used in the treatment of colorectal cancer, particularly in cases where the tumor expresses the EGFR and the patient has wild-type KRAS genes. The presence of these factors allows cetuximab to effectively inhibit the signaling pathways that promote cancer cell proliferation and survival.

In colorectal cancer, cetuximab is often used in combination with chemotherapy or as a monotherapy for patients who have not responded to other treatments. Its efficacy is particularly evident in metastatic cases, where controlling tumor growth can significantly improve patient outcomes.

In contrast, the other types of cancer listed do not have established treatment protocols involving cetuximab. For lung cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer, different targeted therapies and treatment approaches are applied, making cetuximab specifically valuable in the context of colorectal cancer. This specific targeting is essential for personalized medicine, where treatments are tailored based on the unique characteristics of a patient's tumor.