Cycle length: Weekly OR every two weeks. |
Drug | Dose and route | Administration | Given on days |
Cetuximab (loading dose)[1] | 400 mg/m2 IV | The appropriate dose should be withdrawn from the vials (supplied in a concentration of 2 mg/mL) and aseptically transferred into an empty sterile IV bag without further dilution. The initial dose should be infused over 120 minutes.*¶ | Day 1 |
Cetuximab | 250 mg/m2 IV | If day 1 is tolerated, subsequent doses may be administered over 60 minutes. | Weekly, beginning day 8Δ |
OR |
Cetuximab (loading dose and subsequent)Δ[2] | 500 mg/m2 IV | The appropriate dose should be withdrawn from the vials (supplied in a concentration of 2 mg/mL) and aseptically transferred into an empty sterile IV bag without further dilution.*¶ When administered every 2 weeks, all doses should be infused over 120 minutes. | Every 2 weeks |
Pretreatment considerations: |
Emesis risk | - LOW.
- Refer to UpToDate topic on "Prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in adults".
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Prophylaxis for infusion reactions | - Premedication with diphenhydramine with or without a glucocorticoid at least prior to the first infusion.[2]
- In areas with a high frequency of infusion reactions (eg, middle-southeastern United States), testing for IgE antibodies to galactose-alpha-1,3 galactose should be considered.
- Refer to UpToDate topic on "Infusion-related reactions to therapeutic monoclonal antibodies used for cancer therapy".
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Monitoring parameters: |
- Assess basic metabolic panel (including creatinine, magnesium, calcium, and potassium) prior to each dose.
- Monitor serum calcium, magnesium, and potassium levels weekly for 8 weeks after completion of therapy.[2]
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Suggested dose modifications for toxicity: |
Dermatologic toxicity | - Severe dermatologic reactions, such as acneiform rash, require delayed administration of cetuximab and/or dose reduction.
- Refer to UpToDate topic on "Cutaneous adverse events of molecularly targeted therapy and other biologic agents used for cancer therapy".
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If there is a change in body weight of at least 10%, doses should be recalculated. |