NICE recommends Erbitux (cetuximab) plus platinum-based chemotherapy as a first-line therapy for patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) in the oral cavity. - Merck KGaA

Merck KGaA, a leading science and technology company, announced that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for England has issued a positive Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) recommending the routine National Health Service (NHS) use of Erbitux (cetuximab) in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy as a first-line therapy for the treatment of patients with recurrent and/or metastatic (R/M) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) in the oral cavity.

NICE’s decision confirms the positive benefit Erbitux can have on the survival of patients in this setting. Erbitux is already established and reimbursed as an effective therapy for different stages of SCCHN across many countries worldwide.The only other available treatment option is platinum-based chemotherapy.