To explore the efficacy and adverse effects of nimotuzumab combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer.

Sixty patients with stage Ⅲ cervical cancer by the histopathologic diagnosis were collected, and they were randomly divided into two groups using the random number table method. The control group (n=30) using intensity-modulated radiotherapy, intracavitary afterloading therapy and periodic chemotherapy, the observation group (n=30) in addition to the intensity-modulated radiotherapy, intracavitary afterloading therapy and periodic chemotherapy, the nimotuzumab (200 mg) was given to the patients before weekly radiotherapy. All patients were received 6 to 7 times of treatment.

The curative effects of all the patients were evaluated after radiotherapy 3 months. In the observation group, there were 20 cases of CR, 5 cases of PR, 4 cases of SD, 1 case of PD, the total effective rate (CR+ PR) was 83.3%. In the control group, there were 18 cases of CR, 3 cases of PR, 6 cases of SD, 3 cases of PD, the total effective rate was 70.0%. The difference was statistically significant (χ² =8.356, P<0.05). The main adverse reactions in the observation group and control group included slight radioactive proctitis (16.7% vs 13.3%), radioactive cystitis (10.0% vs 10.0%), nausea and vomiting (50.0% vs 46.7%), reduction of white blood cells (40.0% vs 43.3%), with no significant differences (χ² =3.357, P=0.719; χ² =2.717, P=0.925; χ² =5.882, P=0.623; χ² =4.728, P=0.687). There were no skin rashes and allergic reactions.

Nimotuzumab can enhance the locally stage cervical cancer patients′ sensitivity on radiotherapy, which can increase the efficacy and doesn′t increase adverse reaction obviously.

Uterine cervical neoplasms; Radiotherapy; Drug therapy; Antibodies, monoclonal; Nimotuzumab