Cisplatin vs Erbitux

What are the pros and cons here?

Erbitux is a biological drug used in treating cancer.  It is easier on your system.  There are some people who have a reaction to Erbitux.  They usually give benedryl before it.  It's possible you could have a rash similar to acne on the face.  My mother did not have the rash on her face.  After a year of Erbitux she did a rash on legs and arms.  Not bad gave her benedryl.  Tolerated it well.

Cisplatin is hard Chemo.  After the first treatment my mom had her voice back.  Tumor disappeared on her voicebox.  There are some bad side effects.  The nausea, loss of taste, and loss of hair.  You may also at some point down the road deal with numbness of toes, feet and hands (neuropathy).  Tell your doctor right away if you start experiencing this.  They have medicines to help.  They will always give you medicines to help with the side effects of Cisplatin.

My mother was given both at the same time.  They work well together the first go round.  Unfortunatly my mother cancer has come back in her mouth.  The Cisplatin was stopped in May because my mother was too weak to take any more.  She continued on Erbitux until 3 weeks ago.  She is now on taxotere.

I hope this helps in some way.  This has been our experience with these drugs.

Best of luck.

It is my understanding that they both stop cell replication but in different ways, Cisplatin is an old , on the mat cancer drug. It works in a breadspectrum of cancers. It is a big gun  and does have side effects. Erbitux is a new ( and expensive) drug. It was only approves for Neck cancer a couple of year ago. It works in a different way to stop cell replication. It actually jambs the DNA Helil so it can't split and replicate

I recently finished 40 days rad and 8 treatments of Cisplatin/Erbitux

good luck, steve

On Oct 25, 2009 4:01 PM tristeve wrote:

It is my understanding that they both stop cell replication but in different ways, Cisplatin is an old , on the mat cancer drug. It works in a breadspectrum of cancers. It is a big gun  and does have side effects. Erbitux is a new ( and expensive) drug. It was only approves for Neck cancer a couple of year ago. It works in a different way to stop cell replication. It actually jambs the DNA Helil so it can't split and replicate

I recently finished 40 days rad and 8 treatments of Cisplatin/Erbitux

good luck, steve

I had cisplatin along with another chemo drug that i cant recall right at this moment ( having a chemo/radio/cerbitux head moment, sorry!). 

I had hair loss and vomiting with cisplatin and with erbitux i get a skin rash.   Neither are particularly pleasant per se, but what the heck?? If they are killing cancer its worth it to me. :)

Am half way through with my erbitux, just to let you know.

all the best

Julie

I had 7 Cisplatin with Paclitaxel  35 radx I had no problem with the chemo at all.  The radx kicked my a@@.But just had my second postreatment scan and got the all clear si I can say it was worth it.

Bob

On Oct 25, 2009 4:01 PM tristeve wrote:

It is my understanding that they both stop cell replication but in different ways, Cisplatin is an old , on the mat cancer drug. It works in a breadspectrum of cancers. It is a big gun  and does have side effects. Erbitux is a new ( and expensive) drug. It was only approves for Neck cancer a couple of year ago. It works in a different way to stop cell replication. It actually jambs the DNA Helil so it can't split and replicate

I recently finished 40 days rad and 8 treatments of Cisplatin/Erbitux

good luck, steve

Hi Steve,

Reviewing the pros and cons and I went thru the chemo after left neck dissection at the James Col Ohio in early 2008...just a note to congratulate you on finishing radiation and chemo...you must be a tugh dude to be writing on these blogs already.....God and the Holy Spirit Bless and hear each of your prayers today and tomorrow......Oudave....Dave ps...any advise I can give you Steve just ask.