title: Cetuximab in hemodialysis: a case report.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
authors.forename: Ibrahim T
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Aldoss
authors.forename: Troy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Plumb
authors.forename: Weining Ken
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Zhen
authors.forename: Daniel D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Lydiatt
authors.forename: Apar Kishor
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Ganti
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000068818:Cetuximab