title: A case of fatal cetuximab-induced interstitial lung disease during the first weeks of treatment.
abstract: Cetuximab is a monoclonal antibody targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor. It has demonstrated activity against a number of cancers including lung, head and neck, and colorectal. The most common side effects associated with this agent are dermatological; however, other types of toxicities have been reported with varying frequencies. Here, we report a case of interstitial lung disease that developed within the first 4 weeks of cetuximab treatment initiation in a patient with metastatic colorectal cancer and led to patient death. Early fatal pulmonary events secondary to cetuximab is rarely reported in the literature; this case report highlights the importance of awareness among treating health care professionals of this potentially fatal toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Duckworth Lane, Bradford, BD9 6RJ, UK.
authors.forename: Alaaeldin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shablak
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Conn
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000068818:Cetuximab; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000188:drug therapy; D016879:Salvage Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000068818:Cetuximab