RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Clinical predictors for long-term benefit of cetuximab maintenance therapy – Single center subanalysis of the GEMTAX IV trial JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP p2778 VO 38 IS Suppl 55 A1 Stefan Rüdiger A1 Cornelia Kropf A1 Gerald Schmid-Bindert A1 Thomas Wibmer A1 Martin Lanzinger A1 Kathrin Stoiber A1 Joanna Blanta A1 Wolfgang Rottbauer A1 Christian Schumann YR 2011 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p2778.abstract AB The Gemtax IV trial compares a platinum-containing doublet (Arm B) vs. a platinum-free sequential chemotherapy with docetaxel and gemcitabine (Arm A), both arms in combination of cetuximab until progression. Our center included 59 patients in the GEMTAX IV trial so far. From them 9 patients received cetuximab for 10 or more cycles. We analyzed clinical markers in relation to long term therapeutic benefit from cetuximab.A median of 13 cycles (10-15) with cetuximab was administered; mean age was 63 years (53-75). The relations of male to female, non-squamous to squamous histology, and treatment regimen Arm A to Arm B were 2:1 respectively. The median progression free survival was 10 months (8-13) and overall survival 22 months (9-33) so far. Seven of 9 patients developed an acne-like rash within 5 weeks of cetuximab treatment. Eight of 9 patients were former or current heavy smoker.Patients with long-term benefit from cetuximab maintenance after induction chemotherapy were mostly male, former or current smoker, of non-squamous histology and presented rash early. In accordance with data from the FLEX trial, to monitor rash could be helpful on idenzifying patients who could benefit from cetuximab mainentance therapy.