Targeted drug therapy is the use of medicines that target or are directed at proteins on cancer cells that help them grow, spread, and live longer. These drugs work to destroy cancer cells or slow their growth. Their side effects are different from chemotherapy (sometimes less severe) and many are taken as a pill. Targeted drug therapy can be used to treat laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers.
Some targeted drugs, for example, monoclonal antibodies, work in more than one way to control cancer cells and may also be considered immunotherapy because they boost the immune system.
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a protein that helps cancer cells grow. Drugs that target EGFR can be used to treat some advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers.
Cetuximab (Erbitux) is a monoclonal antibody, which is a man-made version of an immune system protein that targets EGFR. Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer cells often have more than normal amounts of EGFR. By blocking EGFR, cetuximab can slow or stop cancer cell growth.
Cetuximab might be combined with radiation therapy for people with more advanced cancers, such as those that have spread locally but are not candidates for chemotherapy. Sometimes cetuximab might be combined with chemo drugs like cisplatin and 5FU in cases where the cancer has come back or has spread to distant parts of the body.
Cetuximab is given by infusion into a vein (IV), either once a week or every other week.
The most common side effects of cetuximab are skin problems such as an acne-like rash on the face and chest during treatment, which can sometimes lead to infections. An antibiotic cream or ointment may be prescribed to help lessen the skin rash and related infections. Developing this rash might suggest the cancer is responding to treatment.
Other side effects can include headache, tiredness, fever, and diarrhea. A rare but serious side effect of cetuximab is an allergic reaction during the first infusion, which could cause problems with breathing and low blood pressure. You will be given medicine before treatment to help prevent this.
Talk to your doctor about the side effects you should watch for and what can be done to help prevent or treat them.
To learn more about how targeted drugs are used to treat cancer, see Targeted Cancer Therapy.
To learn about some of the side effects listed here and how to manage them, see Managing Cancer-related Side Effects.
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
Last Revised: January 21, 2021
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