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Updated: Apr 20, 2026

Basophil Activation Test for Investigation of IgE-Mediated Mechanisms in Drug Hypersensitivity
Published on: September 16, 2011
Risk factors associated with hypersensitivity reactions to cetuximab: anti-cetuximab IgE detection as screening test
Benoît Dupont1, Delphine Mariotte, Bénédicte Clarisse
1Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology & Nutrition, Caen University Hospital, Avenue Côte de Nacre, CHU Côte de Nacre, 14033 Caen cedex 9, France.
Aim:
To describe the factors associated with a high risk of a hypersensitivity reaction to cetuximab.
Patients & Methods:
We retrospectively studied a cohort of patients living in Normandy (France) treated with cetuximab.
Results:
Among the 229 treated patients, 24 (10.5%) had a hypersensitivity reaction to cetuximab, including 11 grade 3-5 reactions. Detection of anti-cetuximab IgE could be performed in 108 patients. Anti-cetuximab IgE was found in 13 of 17 patients (76.5%) who had a hypersensitivity reaction to cetuximab compared with 17 of 91 control patients (18.7%; adjusted odds ratio: 14.99; 95% CI: 3.59-62.63). No clinical criteria predicted the risk of allergy to cetuximab.
Conclusion:
Anti-cetuximab IgE may help physicians identify patients at risk of a hypersensitivity reaction to cetuximab.
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