Objective      To evaluate the safety and efficacy of cetuximab combined with chemotherapy as first line therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).       Methods      A retrospective analysis of clinical data was conducted in 20 patients who were given cetuximab combined with chemotherapy as first line therapy in our department between November 2008 and April 2012. All patients signed the informed consent

and consented to offer clinical information.       Results      Eight patients were alive up to the time of our analysis

and the longest survival was 39.8 months. The objective response rate (ORR)

disease control rate (DCR)

median progression free survival (PFS)

and estimated least median overall survival (OS) were 50.0%

70.0%

8.6 months and 10.9 months

respectively. The common adverse events included skin toxicity (15

75.0%)

alanine aminotransferase elevation (3

15.0%)

hematological toxicity (2

10.0%)

allergy (1

5.0%) and fever (1

5.0%).       Conclusion      Cetuximab combined with chemotherapy as first line therapy for patients with NSCLC has promising ORR

DCR

and PFS. Serious adverse events are of low incidence and quite controllable. We should search predictive factors for selecting appropriate patients.