Cetuximab as treatment for head and neck cancer patients with a previous liver transplant: report of two cases

Abstract

Cetuximab is a monoclonal antibody against epidermal growth factor receptor useful in the treatment of patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma combined with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Its pharmacokinetics are not influenced by hepatic status and there are no specific warnings concerning its indication in patients with impaired hepatic function. Patients with a previous liver transplant are at risk for hepatic toxicity and use immunosupressants to avoid rejection that can interact with other drugs. We present two cases of patients with a previous liver transplant in which cetuximab was administered to treat head and neck cancer.

Keywords:

• Head and neck cancer
• Cetuximab
• Liver transplant
• Tacrolimus
• mTOR inhibitors
• Immunosuppressors