Title |
EGFR-directed antibodies increase the risk of severe infection in cancer patients
|
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Published in |
BMC Medicine, February 2015
|
DOI | 10.1186/s12916-015-0276-9 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Mehmet Altan, Barbara Burtness |
Abstract |
Monoclonal antibodies directed to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have a role in the management of several solid tumors, alone or in combination with chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Recognized toxicities have included hypersensitivity reactions, rash, hypomagnesemia, and constitutional symptoms, but the possibility that the agents lead to immunosuppression or increase the risk of infection has only recently been recognized. Two latest meta-analyses, including the recently published article by Qi et al., highlight the increased risk of severe infections with EGFR-directed monoclonal antibodies. Further studies are needed to better identify the association between EGFR-directed monoclonal antibody treatment and infection, as well as to elucidate the mechanism of this toxicity and to develop tools to identify patients at increased risk for these complications. In the meantime, awareness of the role of EGFR-directed antibodies in increased infection risk may have implications for dose modification strategies in both clinical trial design and the practice of oncology. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 3 | 30% |
United States | 2 | 20% |
Greece | 1 | 10% |
Unknown | 4 | 40% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
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Members of the public | 5 | 50% |
Scientists | 3 | 30% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 2 | 20% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unknown | 15 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
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Researcher | 5 | 33% |
Lecturer | 1 | 7% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 1 | 7% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 1 | 7% |
Student > Bachelor | 1 | 7% |
Other | 2 | 13% |
Unknown | 4 | 27% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 4 | 27% |
Immunology and Microbiology | 1 | 7% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 1 | 7% |
Social Sciences | 1 | 7% |
Sports and Recreations | 1 | 7% |
Other | 0 | 0% |
Unknown | 7 | 47% |