Hi everyone. After my earlier post about failed radiotherapy to a tumour on my tongue and in lymph gland, I have just spent a week in hospital trying to get the pain under control. While there, good friends brought in numerous magazines and by chance I read an article about head & neck cancer which mentioned a new drug recently approved in Scotland and anticipated in England early next year. It is called Erbitux and according to the article it can reduce risk of death by 26% and stop cancer spreading. Does anyone know anything about this drug or where I can find out more? I have decided against the surgery to remove my tongue fully as it seesm too riskly with very limited chance of success, but I am keen to explore any alternatives.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr Vinod K Joshi,

Sorry - typo. The drug is called ERBITUX

Hello Julie, I am attending an NHS NICE meeting in Manchester next week where they will be appraising the drug Erbitux (or Cetuximab) and I will be putting the case forward as storngly as I can in favour of making this available on the NHS for head and neck cancer sufferers.

There's lots of evidence of success in the American studies and I do know of one patient personally who has had a positive response to this drug here in the UK, through the private sector.

Dr Joshi has put various website addresses on this forum where you can research the drug. Look under the "Medications" section and about three lines down you will see the word Erbitux in one of the headings. Or just do a 'find' on Erbitux. Good luck.

Hi Brenda, Thanks for your reply. I have had a look at the information and it definitely looks to be worthwhile exploring this further. I would be happy to pay for the treatment if it isn't available on the NHS, as I have no dependants to consider. You mentioned that you know of someone who had the treatment privately. Are you able to give me any details of how they accessed it and what was involved. You can email me privately on julie.loughran@talktalk.net if preferred.

Good on you for lobbying for use of this drug and very best of luck at the Manchester NICE meeting.

Hi Julie, I am Brenda's friend who is on Cetuximab. I have it weekly with Taxotere chemo every three weeks. My oncologist thinks the two drugs work together against the tumours rather than using either drug as a monotherapy.
In my case they are being used to treat lung metastasies which have originated from my primary tumour which was in the larynx. The tumour in my larynx was successfully treated with radio and chemo in Dec 2004, but the mets have become resistant to Cisplatin which I had for 6 months and have been growing rapidly until I started the Cetuximab/Taxotere treatment. A CT scan after 9 weeks (2 lots of Taxotere and 8 lots of Cetuximab) showed a 10% reduction in the size of most of the little bas-ards, with no new tumours in the lung and none in bones or liver.
Hope this info of use if you have any more questions you can e-mail me sr_platt@hotmail.com
Good luck

Sue

It's nice to hear from you again Sue.
Good luck to you - it's nice to hear that the current treatment is being effective for you. Information on these new drugs and their effectiveness in dealing with our cancers helps us all.

Cheers Tony K

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tony K,

Thanks Tony it's nice to be remembered. Hope you are well and coping with life. I am enjoying every minute except when I've just had the Taxotere! I am having a 50th birthday BASH on 18th November and with the help of some steroids I will be dancing all night!
ROCK ON!!!

PS Julie if you want to e-mail me your phone no. I will happily tell you all thats involved and can find out cost of Erbitux if you need.
Take care
Sue

Hi Julie, I replied to you 2/11/06. Diid you see my posting?
Sue

Hi Sue, thanks for your reply. Sorry I haven't logged on for a while so have just picked up messages. I went to see my consultant today and mentioned Erbitux to him and he is going to speak to the Oncologist and discuss whether it would be suitable for me. Providing there is even a tiny chance I would wish to go ahead as it seems the tumour is growing rapidly and this is possiby my only other option.

If you don't mind I will email you privately to ask a bit more. Coherent speech is almost impossible for me now so email would be easier.

Many thanks for taking the time to share this with me - it is much appreciated.

Hi
i have had a lot of side affects from this drug. can you tell me if you have suffered any problems?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr Vinod K Joshi,