nimotuzumab

Use

Overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase, is prevalent in malignant tumors of epithelial origin and is especially common in breast, head and neck, colon, and lung cancer. With EGFR overexpression, prognosis is poor due to associated tumor invasion, metastasis, enhanced angiogenesis, and resistance to chemotherapy; thus, modulation of EGFR-mediated signaling is an attractive target for intervention. Small-molecule kinase inhibitors (gefitinib and erlotinib) and a monoclonal antibody (cetuximab) specific for EGFR are in clinical evaluation, but treatment cessation due to development of severe acne-like rash is common with these EGFR antagonists. Notably, nimotuzumab, a humanized form of the murine IgG2a monoclonal antibody that has been launched in India for treatment of head and neck cancers overexpressing EGFR, demonstrates clinical efficacy devoid of the rash toxicity. .