My husband is due to start Erbitux on Monday. Has anyone had sucess for a long period of time with this? He has mets to right lung from neck. Chemo didn't stop it.

There is a page that talks a lot about these kinds of monoclonal antibody drugs at the link on the main site http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/treatment/targeted_therapies.htm

Having said that, Erbitux is usually used in combination with other drugs and not as often as a mono therapy by itself. It method of action is to stop the replication of cells as opposed to killing them like we normally think of chemo drug doing. Those that have posted here that were having positive results to certuximab ( Erbitux) seem to have the greatest degree of the rash side effect from it. Dealing with this rash is discussed in a PDF document on the bottom of that same page. I do not have any personal experience with it, but I expect that you will soon hear form other posters that do.

It is a relatively new drug to head and neck cancer use, and there isn't really very long term data on it (more than what was required to get the extra indication from the FDA) The longest term data is in the realm of colon cancer where it was first approved for and used.

In our case, when the chemo drug [carboplatin] did not work, John was put on Erbitux alone. For a several months it worked well, shrinking the tumor alot. Then he fell and broke his jaw implant and had to have more surgery. The Docs feel that the surgery allowed the cancer to spread. After that surgery, the Erbitux could not control things. He was on it for a total of about 8 months. The rash was a real problem and we had little luck finding anything that would really help control it. Be sure to ask your Doc how much experience he\she has had with Erbitux and don't ignore the rash if it starts. Try to stay ahead of it. Amy in the Ozarks

The Dr told me that I would look like I had zits on my face and prbably my arms, My skin would look like leather from the Erbitux, Just think acne at my age LOL Bu they will give me some type of lotion or cream to put on it to stop the itching. I might be able to answer this next week.

Suemarie,
In addition to the side effects (i.e. rash) that was mentioned above, there may also be more serious effects in 4% or so of the cases.
I was originally slated to be treated with Erbitux in addition to IMRT. Long story short, I was allergic to it and ended up in the ER due to an anaphylactic shock. This happened very quickly within 15 minutes of the first infusion. What was annoying in my case was that we told our MO that we thought that there was a chance of an adverse effect (I used to work with the type of mouse they used to make the MAB).

Note, if I could have tolerated it I would have gladly taken Erbitux. However, I also think that the patient needs to be watched very carefully during the infusion especially during the early phase and especially the first treatment. This is not always happening (certainly not in my case and not with my first MO...). It is a good idea to be watchful yourself.

Best
Markus

I had a nurse with me constantly while getting the 1st 2 IVS before they started the Erbitux. She kept monitoring my reaction and made sure I was Ok. I forget what the 1st 2 consisted of, but as soon as they were finished she started the Erbitux and I was fine with it. It took 4 1/2 hrs the 1st time and was told from now on it will take 1 1/2 hrs.

Thnnk you all for the information. I will keep posting with results and side effects. Keeping our fingers crossed. Sue

Hi all- My husband just had his first treatmnt on Monday. He made it thru the injection allright however during the night he spiked a high fever with vomiting and the chills. He had aches and pains all over and a very rough night all in all. Doctor is not sure if it was a side effect or a virus. It seems a little coincidental to me and most of the symptoms were listed under "less common side effects". We won't really know until he gets the treatment next week. Any thoughts?

Sue,
did this go away the next day? As long as your MO is on the ball you should be fine, but this needs to be watched really carefully.

M

Markus-We'll see tomorrow. He just had the 1st injection on monday. Did you have these symptoms? I think the nurse is more "on the ball" than the doctor. The doctor that was on call this morning didn't think the meds caused the problem but it says right on the sheet that these are possible side effects. He has already been weakened by chemo and radiation that ended in December. I don't know why it would be improbable that this is a reaction to the Erbitux.