Reactions 1384 - 14 Jan 2012

Cetuximab

Skin ulcerations in an elderly patient: case reportAn 82-year-old woman developed skin ulcerations

during treatment with cetuximab [route not stated] formetastatic colorectal cancer.

The woman, who had a history of cholelithiasis,hyperglycaemia and hypertension, began receiving second-line therapy with folinic acid, irinotecan and fluorouracil(FOLFIRI), in combination with cetuximab (400 mg/m2

bolus, followed by maintenance therapy with 250 mg/m2

weekly). She also received minocycline and Hirudoid softointment for the prevention of cetuximab-induced skintoxicity. After the first cycle, she developed grade 2leukopenia and grade 4 neutropenia, and the dosage ofFOLFIRI was reduced. She developed grade 3 neutropeniaduring the second cycle, and bolus fluorouracil wasdiscontinued. Seven days after starting cetuximab, shedeveloped acneiform eruptions.

The woman’s skin eruptions improved following steroidapplication. She developed dry skin after 5 weeks oftreatment, followed 2 weeks later by paronychia. Hersymptoms were controlled with self-care. After 18 weeks,she presented with pain and redness in the area of thestoma, with skin ulceration below the stoma apparatus.Cetuximab was discontinued, and her skin ulcerationsresolved over the following 7 weeks. Cetuximab wasrestarted at a dose of 200 mg/m2, but the skin ulcerationsrecurred. Cetuximab was discontinued, and her skinulcerations gradually resolved. After restarting cetuximab ata dose of 150 mg/m2, she completed treatment with noreappearance of skin ulcerations.Tsuboi K, et al. Cetuximab-associated skin ulceration in patient with metastaticcolorectal cancer: a case report. Gan to Kagaku Ryoho 38: 1549-52, No. 9, Sep2011 [Japanese; summarised from a translation] - Japan 803065633

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Reactions 14 Jan 2012 No. 13840114-9954/10/1384-0001/$14.95 © 2010 Adis Data Information BV. All rights reserved