title: Successful management of infusion reaction accompanying the start of cetuximab therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cetuximab is a chimeric antibody registered for the therapy of advanced colorectal carcinoma after failure of standard chemotherapy. Rare infusion reactions that resulted in the cessation of therapy have been described after cetuximab administration.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have observed severe infusion reactions accompanied by a loss of consciousness in two patients. The patients were transferred to intensive care unit, and the treatment was continued after administration of corticosteroids under careful monitoring of vital signs without any further serious reactions. In both cases, benefit of therapy with cetuximab could be demonstrated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This experience indicates that cetuximab can be continued in patients who experience infusion reactions. Surveillance in the intensive care unit is mandatory during readministration of the drug.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Charles University Medical School and Teaching Hospital, Sokolská 581, 500 05, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic. melichar@fnhk.cz
authors.forename: Bohuslav
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Melichar
authors.forename: Jaroslav
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cerman
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Malírová
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000068818:Cetuximab; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D012811:Sigmoid Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000068818:Cetuximab