Eric has a good point.

The Bonner data is one source the trial is based on compared radiation + cetuximab vs. radiation alone. It showed a greater advantage to 'HPV profile' patients. One of this was that it showed that Cetuximab was more likely to help if EFGR expression was low-moderate (correlated with never-smoker/light smokers). That is why I asked about your smoking status. It is also possible to get staining done for EFGR expression, but I don't think this is commonly done.

My husband had a very similar protocol to the RTOG 1016 cetuximab arm, and did very well on it.


CG to husband - SCC Tonsil T1N2M0 HPV+ Never Smoker
First symptoms 7/2010, DX 12/2010
TX 40 IRMT (1.8 gy) + 10 Cetuximab
PET Scans 6/2011 + 3/2012 clear, 5 year physical exam clear; chest CT's clear of cancer. On thyroid pills. Life is good.