How Far Is Too Far? The Ethics of Mini Brain Research
December 11, 2025
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Brand Name :
Erbitux
(United States) [Available]Synonyms :
cetuximab
Class :
Antineoplastics and Monoclonal Antibody
Brand Name :
Erbitux
(United States) [Available]Synonyms :
cetuximab
Class :
Antineoplastics and Monoclonal Antibody
Dosage Forms & Strengths
Injectable solution
2mg/ml
Weekly Dose:
Initial Dose:
400
mg/m^2
Intravenous (IV)
over 2hrs, and Maintenance Dose:250 mg per m2 given IV over 1hr once a week
BIWEEKLY: 500 mg per m2 IV over 2hrs every two weeks
In Combination with Encorafenib:
400 mg per m2 IV is taken as the initial dose over 2hrs, and the Maintenance Dose is 250 mg per m2 IV over 1hr once a week until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity seen
comments:
Cetuximab with or without Irinotecan or FOLFIRI (irinotecan, fluorouracil, leucovorin), and this should be taken weekly or biweekly
Hence continue the treatment until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity observed
In Combination with Radiation therapy, a Complete IV administration 1hr before radiation therapy :
400
mg/m^2
Intravenous (IV)
as the initial dose over 2hrs administered one week before initiating a course of radiation therapy, and the Maintenance dose is 250 mg per m2 IV over 1hr once a week for the duration of radiation therapy, 6-7 weeks
may diminish the therapeutic effect of vaccines
vaccinia immune globulin intravenous (Rx)
may diminish the therapeutic effect of vaccines
may diminish the therapeutic effect of vaccines
may diminish the therapeutic effect of vaccines
may diminish the therapeutic effect of vaccines
measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine, live (Rx)
may diminish the therapeutic effect of vaccines
measles mumps and rubella vaccine, live
may diminish the therapeutic effect of vaccines
measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine, live
may decrease the therapeutic effects of vaccine
may increase the risk of toxic effects when combined
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk of a severe sunburn
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk of dangerous blood clots
in combination with ofatumumab, cetuximab increases the risk of adverse events.
may increase the risk or severity of adverse effects when combined
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk or severity of adverse effects
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk or severity of adverse effects
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk or severity of infection
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk or severity of adverse effects
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk of hypomagnesemia
when both drugs are combined, there may be a reduced blood level of cetuximab
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk of hypomagnesemia
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk or severity of adverse effects
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk of severe and life-threatening diarrhea
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk of hypomagnesemia
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk or severity of adverse effects
methyl aminolevulinate topical
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk or severity of adverse effects
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk of serious infections
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk of hypomagnesemia
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk of serious infections
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk of hypomagnesemia
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk of hypomagnesemia
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk of photosensitivity reactions
may enhance the thrombogenic effect of immune globulin
may enhance the thrombogenic effect of immune globulin
poliovirus vaccine, live, trivalent
may diminish the therapeutic effect of vaccines
poliovirus vaccine inactivated
may diminish the therapeutic effect of vaccines
may diminish the therapeutic effect of vaccines
smallpox (vaccinia) vaccine, live
may diminish the therapeutic effect of vaccines
may diminish the therapeutic effect of vaccines
may diminish the therapeutic effect of vaccines
may diminish the therapeutic effect of vaccines
it may enhance the adverse effects when combined with aducanumab
may increase the risk or severity of adverse effects when combined
measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine, live (Rx)
they decrease the efficacy of live vaccines
measles mumps and rubella vaccine, live
they decrease the efficacy of live vaccines
Actions and spectrum:
Cetuximab is a recombinant and humanized monoclonal antibody. It specifically binds to EGFR, c-ErB-1, and HER1 receptors over the surface of both tumor and normal cells. Moreover, cetuximab reduces the synthesis of matrix metalloproteinase and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and causes cell apoptosis. Cetuximab has been demonstrated to prevent tumor angiogenesis in vitro. EGFR expression is generally downregulated when cetuximab binds to EGFR and causes the antibody-receptor complex to internalize.
Adverse drug reactions:
Frequency defined
>10%
Anxiety
Rash or desquamation
Fatigue
Nausea
Other pain
Dry skin
Constipation
Dyspnea
Pruritus
Sensory neuropathy
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Headache
Infections with neutropenia
Other dermatology
Stomatitis
Fatigue
Nail changes
Insomnia
Fever
Depression
Dehydration
Mouth dryness
Black Box Warning
Severe infusion reactions may occur
Sudden death or cardiopulmonary arrest is observed
Contraindication/Caution:
Contraindication:
No contraindications are available
Cautions:
Risk of cardiopulmonary arrest
Electrolyte depletion
Hypomagnesemia
Congestive heart failure
SCCHN (squamous cell carcinoma of the neck and head)
Electrolyte abnormalities
Dermatologic toxicities
Interstitial lung disease
Increased progression of tumors
Pregnancy warnings:
Breastfeeding warnings:
Pregnancy Categories:
Pharmacology:
Cetuximab is a monoclonal antibody used for the treatment of a specific type of squamous cell carcinoma.
Pharmacodynamics:
An anticancer drug called cetuximab functions by selectively and more strongly suppressing the growth and survival of tumor cells that express the EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) than do EGF and TGF-α, which are EGFR’s natural ligands. Cetuximab functions by preventing EGFR-positive tumors from proliferating and from surviving. It encourages ADCC (antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity) against specific types of human tumors in vitro. Cetuximab, on the other hand, does not have any anti-tumor effects on human tumor xenografts that do not express EGFR.
Pharmacokinetics:
Absorption
The area under the curve for cetuximab increases in a dose-dependent manner.
Distribution
Volume of distribution of cetuximab is 2-3L/m2
Metabolism
Cetuximab is known to undergo lysosomal degradation and protein catabolism.
Half-life:
112 hours.
Administration:
Cetuximab is administered as an intravenous injection. It is usually administered once a week or two weeks.
Before giving cetuximab, another drug can be given to lower specific side effects.
Pronunciation: se-tux-i-mab
Cetuximab is an anti-cancer agent used to treat certain kinds of gastrointestinal cancer, including the colon or the rectum.
It is also used to treat neck and head cancer.
They are effective in retarding and cessing cancerous growth by binding with the EFGR protein receptor (epidermal growth factor receptor).
The medicine is given through the IV route once a week or two weeks.
Side effects may occur during the treatment, like vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, redness in the eyes, flushing, and pain at the injection site.
You should inform your doctor about any side effects that get worsen.
Any previous or present allergy needs to be put forth before the doctor.
Avoid contact with the person who has recently been injected with a live vaccine.
You should inform your doctor about your current medication of cetuximab if you are undergoing any surgery or planning to conceive.
If you miss a dose, tell your healthcare professional to reschedule it.
There are no storage conditions provided as this medication is only administered in hospitals and is not to be stored or utilized at home.
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