Cetuximab therapy and symptomatic hypomagnesemia. 2005

Deborah Schrag, and Ki Young Chung, and Carlos Flombaum, and Leonard Saltz
Division of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave., Box 221, New York, NY 10011, USA. schragd@mskcc.org

We report that patients treated with cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody against the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR), occasionally develop a magnesium wasting syndrome with inappropriate urinary excretion. We first observed this phenomenon in a 34-year-old male patient with metastatic colorectal cancer who developed profound fatigue and symptomatic hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia while on cetuximab plus irinotecan therapy. Other medications with the potential to cause magnesium wasting had not been administered. Intravenous magnesium supplementation was required for the duration of cetuximab therapy, but electrolyte abnormalities resolved after discontinuation of treatment. This case prompted review of serum chemistry reports for a consecutive case series of 154 colorectal cancer patients treated with cetuximab. Thirty-four patients (22%) had at least one serum magnesium measurement during cetuximab treatment, and six had grade 3 (< 0.9 mg/dL) and two had grade 4 (< 0.7 mg/dL) hypomagnesemia. Because EGFR is strongly expressed in the kidney, particularly in the ascending limb of the loop of Henle where 70% of filtered magnesium is reabsorbed, EGFR blockade may interfere with magnesium transport. Because symptoms may be rapidly ameliorated with supplementation, we suggest that, when fatigue or hypocalcemia is encountered during cetuximab therapy, serum magnesium level be measured and repleted as necessary.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006996 Hypocalcemia Reduction of the blood calcium below normal. Manifestations include hyperactive deep tendon reflexes, Chvostek's sign, muscle and abdominal cramps, and carpopedal spasm. (Dorland, 27th ed) Hypocalcemias
D008274 Magnesium A metallic element that has the atomic symbol Mg, atomic number 12, and atomic weight 24.31. It is important for the activity of many enzymes, especially those involved in OXIDATIVE PHOSPHORYLATION.
D008275 Magnesium Deficiency A nutritional condition produced by a deficiency of magnesium in the diet, characterized by anorexia, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, and weakness. Symptoms are paresthesias, muscle cramps, irritability, decreased attention span, and mental confusion, possibly requiring months to appear. Deficiency of body magnesium can exist even when serum values are normal. In addition, magnesium deficiency may be organ-selective, since certain tissues become deficient before others. (Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 12th ed, p1936) Deficiency, Magnesium,Deficiencies, Magnesium,Magnesium Deficiencies
D008297 Male Males
D002166 Camptothecin An alkaloid isolated from the stem wood of the Chinese tree, Camptotheca acuminata. This compound selectively inhibits the nuclear enzyme DNA TOPOISOMERASES, TYPE I. Several semisynthetic analogs of camptothecin have demonstrated antitumor activity. Camptothecine
D005221 Fatigue The state of weariness following a period of exertion, mental or physical, characterized by a decreased capacity for work and reduced efficiency to respond to stimuli. Lassitude
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000068818 Cetuximab A chimeric monoclonal antibody that functions as an ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENT through its binding to the EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR RECEPTOR, where it prevents the binding and signaling action of cell growth and survival factors. C225,Erbitux,IMC C225,IMC-C225,MAb C225
D000077146 Irinotecan A semisynthetic camptothecin derivative that inhibits DNA TOPOISOMERASE I to prevent nucleic acid synthesis during S PHASE. It is used as an antineoplastic agent for the treatment of COLORECTAL NEOPLASMS and PANCREATIC NEOPLASMS. 7-Ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin,CPT 11,CPT-11,Camptosar,Camptothecin-11,Irinotecan Hydrochloride,Irrinotecan,NK012 Compound,SN 38,SN 38 11,SN-38,SN-38-11,7 Ethyl 10 hydroxycamptothecin,CPT11,Camptothecin 11,SN3811
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

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