Efficacy and Blood Concentrations of Cetuximab in a Hemodialysis Patient with Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report.

Introduction: Cetuximab is an effective therapy for unresectable locoregionally advanced head and neck cancer, but for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), clinical trials seldom provide evidence for the efficacy and safety of cetuximab. Case Presentation: We report this case of 46-year-old male patient with stage IVa tongue squamous cell carcinoma who is on maintenance hemodialysis for diabetic nephropathy. He tolerated the therapy well and had a stable disease of the carcinoma. We determined cetuximab concentration and showed that pharmacokinetics of cetuximab in this ESRD patient was similar to healthy subjects. Conclusion: Cetuximab can be used safely and effectively in head and neck cancer patients with ESRD, and we have provided an example of pharmacokinetics of cetuximab in renal failure patient.