The FDA recently approved cetuximab (Erbitux) for use with chemotherapy to treat late-stage (metastatic) head and neck cancer. Most commonly reported side effects were rash; pruritus; nail changes; headache; diarrhea; and respiratory, skin, and mouth infections. Cetuximab can cause low serum magnesium, potassium, and calcium, and has been associated with serious and life-threatening infusion reactions and heart attack. Patients taking cetuximab should limit their exposure to the sun.
The first licensed hematopoietic progenitor cells-cord (HPC-C) cell therapy, Hemacord, was granted FDA approval. Hemacord is indicated for use in hematopoetic stem cell transplantation procedures in patients with disorders affecting the blood forming system.
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The FDA approved asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi (Erwinaze) for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in patients who have developed an allergy to E coli-derived asparaginase and pegaspargase chemotherapy drugs. Side effects associated with this drug include anaphylaxis, pancreatitis, abnormal transaminases and bilirubin, blood clotting, hemorrhage, nausea, vomiting, and hyperglycemia. ONA
