Radiotherapy plus cetuximab for locoregionally advanced head and neck cancer: 5-year survival data from a phase 3 randomised trial, and relation between cetuximab-induced rash and survival

The "Bonner" trial reports five year data in this months Lancet Oncology. The initial survival benefit is continued out to longer follow up than the prior NEJM article. A subgroup analysis also demonstrates that in those recieving cetuximab, the development of a more severe acneiform rash was associated with an improved survival. This finding is similar to prior reports in colon cancer. What is causing this is unknown, but it may be a surrogate for reaching systemic drug levels...

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[Articles] Radiotherapy plus cetuximab for locoregionally advanced head and neck cancer: 5-year survival data from a phase 3 randomised trial, and relation between cetuximab-induced rash and survival: "Previous results from our phase 3 randomised trial showed that adding cetuximab to primary radiotherapy increased overall survival in patients with locoregionally advanced squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck (LASCCHN) at 3 years. Here we report the 5-year survival data, and investigate the relation between cetuximab-induced rash and survival."