Not to long ago a certain doctor that I won't mention told us that once Erbitux was given it could not be given again . We were told to hold off on using it so the option would remain open .

Is this correct that once you have taken the Erbitux it cannot be taken again ? A different doctors opinion was different . He said the Erbitux can be used again .

Has anyone taken Erbitux more than once with treatment ?

Thanks
Heidi

I may have heard something as to the effect Erbitux isnt as effective when used a second time, but Im not certain of all the details. I know Ive heard that many doctors still say radiation can only be done once but Ive seen it done 2 or even 3 times. This is done only on a individual case by case basis with many variables. If Erbitux can only be used once Im sure it would be similar to the radiation statement where in certain instances it could be the best option. Next time you see the medical oncologist, ask them what they know of this and please let us know.

It would make sense that Erbitux not be given a 2nd time if it didn't work the first time. I have heard of patients having Erbitux be given it as adjunctive treatment, after definitive treatment, for an extensive period of time, 6 months, a year as maintenance treatment or as inductive treatment in a cocktail before definitive treatment, possibly with Erbitux. Many other chemo's are usually not given again due to the possibility of one becoming chemo resistant to it, so a different or similar one is given.

Erbitux, initially a colorectal drug, I believe was initially approved for metastic head and neck cancer after prior treatment with and failure with a platinum based therapy. It was later it was approved as first line definitive treatment. .

They say about 5% of head and neck cancer patients have a mutated KRAS gene whereby Erbitux does not work, but there is no assay for this unlike there is for colorectal cancer, which mutation is as high as 40%.

I had Erbitux once, along with Taxotere, radiation, and it did not work in the long run, so I wasn't given it again.

Good luck

Thanks Christine & Paul

I was just wondering .
After getting a second opinion from a MD Anderson Oncologist we were told to hold off on the Erbitux. She explained by doing this the door would be left opened for other options down the road if needed. However the Oncologist here in LA. wanted to include the Erbitux in treatment now.

We decided to follow the MDA doctors orders and not include the Erbitux for now.

I guess I was being curious as to what if it was used now and then again later if needed.

Christine I am going to question the doctor more about it and let you know what he says.

Thanks
Heidi

Sorry to hear you getting two different opinions. This is always a drag with second/third opinions. If they don't agree, you often feel worse about what is best for you. MDA is great and waiting seems like the right choice if they recommend an alternative treatment plan. Good luck

Yes Don

We plan to follow the orders given. My moms doctor does'nt have a problem with it. So I think its best to do as MDA has sugested. I was just wondering about the difference of opinion between the two doctors on the Erbitux .

Thanks
Heidi