Authors' objectives:

To summarise the available evidence on cetuximab for head and neck and colorectal cancer.

Authors' recommendations: - Clinical impact: Although the number of patients with advanced head and neck cancer is relatively small, their prognosis is poor and their treatment options are limited and most have severe adverse effects on quality of life. The number of people with advanced colorectal cancer is much more significant, but there are more alternative therapies. - Service impact: There will be little additional impact on current services as cetuximab is currently given in combination with radio- or chemotherapy. - Additional factors: Patients with refractory cancer will welcome any therapy that could prolong survival and especially one with relatively few adverse effects. - Financial and overall NHS impact: It is impossible to predict the overall impact of cetuximab on the NHS or costs at this stage of development, but any costs associated with its use will be in addition to current drug costs and could be substantial.

Authors' methods: Overview

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2002

URL for published report: http://www.hsric.nihr.ac.uk/search

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre

Contact Address: The NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, 90 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SP. United Kingdom. Tel: +44 121 414 7831, Fax: +44 121 2269

Contact Name: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre (NIHR HSC)