Allergic Reaction To Cancer Drug Cetuximab (Erbitux), Found
March 14, 2008 by Gloria Gamat
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
An allergic reaction to the cancer drug cetuximab has been found.
Sometimes the reaction includes anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition characterized by a drop in blood pressure, fainting, difficulty breathing, and wheezing.
Now researchers funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, have discovered that specific pre-existing antibodies cause the severe reaction to the drug.
Cetuximab is an immune-based therapy commonly used to treat persons diagnosed with head and neck cancer, or colon cancer, marketed as the popular brand Erbitux — a product of ImClone Systems Inc. and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.
Find more details from NIAD/NIH.
Are you aware of any instances where a patient who is receiving Erbitux in conjunction with radiation therapy for head and neck cancer receives 2nd and 3rd degree burns as a result?
A family member is currently undergoing radiation and Erbitux treatment. I am also interested in this question.
Allergic reaction to Cetuximab is known. But, 2nd and 3rd degree burns with Radiation Therapy is a shock to know…if at all proven correct.
Stacy