The aim of the present study was directed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of cetuximab and curcumin either in combination or alone as anticancer treatment mmodality on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) induced hamster buccal pouch(s) (HBP(s)) carcinoma. Material and methods: Twenty-Five Syrian male hamsters, five weeks old, weighing 80-120g were divided into three group(s) (G(s)): A, B, and C. G-A (negative control): HBP mucosa of 5 animals were painted with liquid paraffin alone three times a week for 18 weeks. G-B: 20 right HBP animals were painted with 0.5% DMBA in paraffin oil 3 times a week for 18 weeks. Then animals were divided randomly into four sub-groups. G-B1 (DMBA treated group): 5 animals were left untreated for 6 weeks after DMBA painting. G-B2 (cetuximab treated group): 5 animals were injected intraperitoneally with cetuximab
1 mg/animal at 3 days intervals for 6 weeks following DMBA-treatment. G-B3 (curcumin treated group): Right HBP of 5 animals were directly injected with curcumin 80 mg/kg body weight every day for 6 weeks following DMBA-treatment. G-B4 (curcumin-cetuximab treated group): 5 animals were directly injected with curcumin followed by intraperitoneal injection of cetuximab for 6 weeks following a DMBA-treatment. The assessment was based on the gross observation, histological and immunohistochemical examination utilizing anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 antibody. Results: Gross observation revealed variation in reduction of the tumor size in the treated groups (G-B2, G-B3, and G-B4) compared to that observed in group G-B1. Histopathological findings revealed variations among the treated groups. Immunohistochemical results revealed that Bcl-2 expression has a variability in the area % throughout the groups used. Groups G-B1, G-B2, G-B3 and G-B4 were 70.7 %, 54.8 %, 42.7% and 24.5% respectively. Conclusion: The synergistic effect of both cetuximab and curcumin resulted in promising therapeutic effect in regression of DMBA induced HBP carcinoma.