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BMC Cancer
Published in: BMC Cancer 1/2022

Open Access 01-12-2022 | Tick | Research

Incidence and associated factors of cetuximab-induced hypersensitivity infusion reactions in 1392 cancer patients treated in four French areas: a possible association with Lyme disease?

Authors: M Dupont, Claire Carlier, C Gower-Rousseau, P Barbier-Lider, D Botsen, M Brasseur, A Burgevin, C Chourbagi, R D’Almeida, V Hautefeuille, M Hentzien, A Lambert, M Lamuraglia, S Lavau-Denes, A Lopez, D Parent, F Slimano, M Brugel, O Bouché

Published in: BMC Cancer | Issue 1/2022

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Abstract

Background:

Previous studies have observed an increased incidence of Cetuximab-induced hypersensitivity infusion reactions (CI-IRs) in the southeastern states of the USA. Tick’s bites were suspected of generating cross-reactions between cetuximab and alpha-gal. This study aims was to describe the incidence and associated risk factors of CI-IRs, in the French areas chosen according to their Lyme disease incidence.

Patients and methods:

A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients that received cetuximab infusion from January 2010 to June 2019 in 4 French areas with different Lyme disease incidence rates.

Results:

Of 1392 patients, 117 (8.4%) experienced a CI-IR, including 68 severe (grade 3 or 4) reactions (4.9%). This CI-IR incidence was significantly higher in the Lyme disease high-risk area than in the other areas (13.2% versus 7.1%, 8.1% and 6.4%; P = 0.016). Sex (P = 0.53), premedication (P = 0.91), primary cancer location (P = 0.46) and chemotherapy regimen type (P = 0.78) had no impact on CI-IR incidence in the overall population. In the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patient subgroup, CI-IRs were significantly more frequent in the high-risk area (16.4% versus 6.7%, 7.1% and 7.0%; P = 0.0015).

Conclusion:

This study suggests that patients treated in the French area with the highest incidence of Lyme disease are at a higher risk of CI-IRs.
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Metadata
Title
Incidence and associated factors of cetuximab-induced hypersensitivity infusion reactions in 1392 cancer patients treated in four French areas: a possible association with Lyme disease?
Authors
M Dupont
Claire Carlier
C Gower-Rousseau
P Barbier-Lider
D Botsen
M Brasseur
A Burgevin
C Chourbagi
R D’Almeida
V Hautefeuille
M Hentzien
A Lambert
M Lamuraglia
S Lavau-Denes
A Lopez
D Parent
F Slimano
M Brugel
O Bouché
Publication date
01-12-2022
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Cancer / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2407
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-022-10192-4

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