Cetuximab adverse effects

Whether administered in combination or as a single therapy for cancers of the head, neck and colon, cetuximab exhibits similar pharmacokinetic characteristics. After a 2-h infusion of 400 mg/m2, the half-life is 97 h, ranging from 41 to 213 h, and after initial and subsequent maintenance doses, the half-life is about 112 h, ranging from 63 to 230 h. The adverse effects associated with cetuximab include immuno-genicity, electrolyte depletion (hypomagnesemia) and infusion reactions. Infusion reactions involve airway obstruction, urticaria and hypotension. 

ADCC. Cetuximab is approved for treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Interestingly, an adverse event, acneiform rash seems to correlate with a better response to cetuximab, while there is no such correlation with expression levels of EGFR assessed by immunohistochemistry. Further side effects are rare infusion reactions and hypomagnesia. Two other anti-EGFR antibodies approved for clinical use are the fully human antibody panitumumab (Vectibix)... 

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