Relapsed refractory metastatic squamous cell cancer of anal canal in a patient with retroviral infection responding to cetuximab.

INTRODUCTION

Conventional first-line therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of anal canal is definitive chemoradiotherapy with a curative intent. Due to the efficacy of treatment for locoregional disease and rarity of metastatic anal carcinoma, clinical trial data for treatment of metastatic disease is lacking.

CASE REPORT: Herein, we describe a patient with relapsed, metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal treated with cetuximab as the third-line therapy. Management and outcome: The patient responded to this pharmacological agent, meeting the definition of a partial response per response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST).

DISCUSSION: EGFR inhibitors are potential avenues for the subsequent lines of therapy in metastatic or relapsed/refractory anal cancer. Prospective clinical trials of cetuximab alone or in combination with other agents are warranted in this setting in the future.