Background: Severe hypersensitivity reaction is a dangerous adverse drug reaction in patients receiving cetuximab. It requires drug discontinuation and medical management.
Case description: A 48-year-old man, previously diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer, was admitted for therapy continuation. During the first infusion of cetuximab, the patient experienced acute signs of hypersensitivity reactions. The treatment team decided to administer cetuximab employing the desensitization protocol.
Conclusions: This study reports a severe hypersensitivity reaction to cetuximab in an adult patient with colorectal cancer. This patient was successfully managed with a new safe and rapid desensitization protocol.
Keywords: Cetuximab; desensitization; hypersensitivity reactions.