Cetuximab in hemodialysis: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin is the standard therapy for patients with unresectable locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. However, cisplatin administration in patients on hemodialysis is complicated by the need to perform hemodialysis immediately after the infusion. Concurrent chemoradiation with cetuximab has been approved in definitive treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancer. Although cetuximab is not excreted via the kidneys, its use in patients on hemodialysis has not been reported.


RESULTS
We present the case of a 65-year-old man undergoing hemodialysis, with stage IVA squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx. Given the logistics of performing hemodialysis immediately postcisplatin, he received concurrent chemoradiotherapy with cetuximab. He tolerated treatment well with minor side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Cetuximab can be safely used in patients with renal impairment. This is the first reported case of the use of cetuximab in a patient undergoing hemodialysis.
Aldoss
Ibrahim T
IT
Department of Internal Medicine, Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
Plumb
Troy
T
Zhen
Weining Ken
WK
Lydiatt
Daniel D
DD
Ganti
Apar Kishor
AK
D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D000068818:Cetuximab; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000068818:Cetuximab