Reactions 1213 - 2 Aug 2008

SCetuximab

Infusion reaction: case reportA 55-year-old man experienced a severe infusion reaction

during treatment with cetuximab for metastatic colorectalcancer.

Following premedication with diphenhydramine, acetuximab infusion was initiated at a dose of 400 mg/m2. Fiveto eight minutes later, the man experienced seizure-likeactivity and became diaphoretic and unresponsive. Heexperienced severely decreased blood pressure, with systolicBP of 73mm Hg and no measurable diastolic BP. His pulse rateincreased to 148 beats/min.

Cetuximab was discontinued and the man receivedmethylprednisolone sodium succinate , cimetidine andepinephrine [adrenaline]. He was then transported to hospitaland he was stabilised in an emergency room, before beingobserved overnight. Five weeks after the reaction, he receivedpanitumumab, with hydrocortisone and lorazepam, and didnot experience any further infusion reactions. He developed arash, considered a characteristic toxicity that appears to be amarker of activity associated with clinical benefit.Cartwright TH, et al. Successful administration of panitumumab alone after severeinfusion reaction to cetuximab in a patient with metastatic colorectal cancer.Clinical Colorectal Cancer 7: 202-203, No. 3, May 2008 - USA 801117165

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Reactions 2 Aug 2008 No. 12130114-9954/10/1213-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved