Allergic Reaction To Cancer Drug Cetuximab (Erbitux), Found
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.
Tags: allergic reaction, cancer-drug, cetuximab, colorectal-cancer, Erbitux, head-and-neck-cancerRelated Stories
POSTED IN: on anti-cancer ingredients, on colon cancer, on head and neck cancer
2 opinions for Allergic Reaction To Cancer Drug Cetuximab (Erbitux), Found
Mark Glazer
Mar 15, 2008 at 6:50 am
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?
KWB
Mar 25, 2008 at 3:05 am
A family member is currently undergoing radiation and Erbitux treatment. I am also interested in this question.
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