Combined paclitaxel and cetuximab achieved a major response on the skin metastases of a patient with epidermal growth factor receptor-positive, estrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptor-negative and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-negative (triple-negative) breast cancer

Anticancer Drugs. 2007 Aug;18(7):835-7. doi: 10.1097/CAD.0b013e3280adc8e0.

Abstract

The epidermal growth factor receptor, a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase of the erbB family, is expressed in 15-30% of all breast cancers. Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor agent cetuximab is an IgG1 chimeric monoclonal antibody with a potent antitumor activity. Cetuximab competes with ligand binding to the epidermal growth factor receptor ectodomain, resulting in an efficient blockade of tumor-promoting downstream signaling pathways. Large clinical studies recently demonstrated cetuximab synergy with radiotherapy and chemotherapy agent irinotecan. Studies in human breast cancer xenografts showed cetuximab synergy with paclitaxel, a potent mitosis spindle-cell stabilizer. In this report, combined paclitaxel and cetuximab achieved a major reduction of the skin metastases of a heavily pretreated patient with epidermal growth factor receptor-positive, estrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptor-negative and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-negative (triple-negative) invasive ductal breast carcinoma. Treatment was well-tolerated overall and response was not correlated with the appearance of major cetuximab-induced acneiform rash.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acneiform Eruptions / chemically induced
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / secondary
  • Cetuximab
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Paclitaxel / administration & dosage
  • Paclitaxel / adverse effects
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / analysis
  • Receptors, Estrogen / analysis
  • Receptors, Progesterone / analysis
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Skin Neoplasms / secondary
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Receptors, Progesterone
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • Paclitaxel
  • Cetuximab