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NICE Does Not Recommend Cetuximab Plus Platinum-Based Chemotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer LONDON -- June 25, 2009 -- The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published guidance on the use of cetuximab for the treatment of recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell cancer of the head and neck. The guidance does not recommend cetuximab in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy as a treatment option for patients with this type of head and neck cancer. People currently receiving cetuximab in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy for the treatment of recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell cancer of the head and neck should have the option to continue treatment until they and their clinician consider it appropriate to stop. "When reaching today's decision the appraisal committee took account of all of the available evidence on the use of cetuximab, in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy, when compared with the existing treatment options already available to patients with metastatic squamous cell head and neck cancer," said Andrew Dillon, NICE, London, United Kingdom. "The committee noted the existing uncertainty over the clinical effectiveness of the treatment and the costs of the treatment when compared to those currently available." The Committee also took into account the supplementary advice provided by NICE to be taken into account when appraising treatments at the end of life. The Committee noted that cetuximab was used for a small population with a short life-expectancy for a devastating disorder but it did not offer sufficiently greater benefits to these patients compared to existing treatments." The guidance is available at: http://www.nice.org.uk/TA172 SOURCE: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version