Erbitux, originally used for colorectal cancer, was found to be ineffective in 40 percent of the patients due to a mutated KRAS gene. For colorectal, they now do a biomarker before using to see if a person has the mutated gene or wild type (normal) KRAS gene, which seems Erbitux, some other EGFR inibitors, works with, and even insurance can deny use based on mutation. They do not do the biomarker for Head and Neck Cancer, and say, and I was told, it doesn't apply. Charm had ascertained Erbitux did not work in 5% of HNC. Also interesting is a large percentage of the mutations appear to be in the Southern belt area. I read one suggestion having to do with sun exposure, but haven't read further about that.

Erbitux is no free ride either. They have their own side effects from severe allergic, heart failure at initial infusion or 2nd, in a small percentage, and rash, sometimes severe, which can be managed by minocycline, dryness, itching, hair loss. I needed a blood transfusion, and my creatinine raised to 2.7, so the kidneys too, plus others.

I had Cisplatin along with Taxotere, 5-FU for induction chemo in 2009, so I don't know if that was the major cause, contributor to my severe, near death reaction, needing to be hospitalized for 6 months, but I would definitely not recommend IC to anyone.

At least you will know what you are getting, instead of a placebo. Both Cisplatin and Erbitux have their positive and negative aspects, but after reading MSKCC report, a major contributor, chair to the NCCN, I question Erbitux's use too outside clinical trials.