Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40874444›Full record

ArticleHead & neck2026

Cetuximab Hypersensitivity in the Setting of Asymptomatic Alpha-Gal Sensitization.

Alexander G Emerson, Lindsay Mundy, Barbara A Murphy, Cosby A Stone

Abstract readCase Reports
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Head & neck, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Alexander G EmersonDivision of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.ORCID 0009-0002-9880-0649
Lindsay MundyOutpatient Oncology Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Services, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Barbara A MurphyDivision of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Cosby A StoneDivision of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

Funding

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) CoFAR Clinical Research CenterU01AI181927 · NIAID · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · PI Leonard B Bacharier, Rachel Glick Robison · 2024 to 2026
$3.0M
AHRQ HHS R01 HS030234AHRQ HHS R01HS030234National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases U01AI181927NIAID NIH HHS U01 AI181927Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center/Chic Awareness
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAlpha-gal syndrome is an allergic condition resulting from the bite of the Lonestar tick in the southeastern US that leads to sensitization to mammalian products containing the oligosaccharide galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal). Cetuximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that contains alpha-gal and can lead to allergic reactions in individuals with alpha-gal syndrome.

methodsA 66-year-old with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil with involvement of the lung and liver was planned to receive palliative therapy with cetuximab. He was screened for alpha-gal sensitization and found to have elevated specific IgE to alpha-gal but had not had adverse reactions to mammalian products previously. He was referred to our allergy clinic for further recommendations to minimize the risk of a hypersensitivity reaction.

resultsHe received his first dose as a graded challenge with cetuximab. Shortly after increasing the rate of his infusion to the second step of his challenge, the patient developed flushing, disseminated urticaria, and labored breathing. The remainder of his first dose and subsequent treatments were administered via a one-bag desensitization protocol.

conclusionsThis case suggests caution with the use of cetuximab in those with asymptomatic alpha-gal sensitization, along with the potential utility of graded challenge in a closely monitored setting, such as the ICU, to diagnose and desensitize to manage such patients in the future.

Indexed as

Antineoplastic Agents, ImmunologicalCarcinoma, Squamous CellCetuximabDisaccharidesDrug HypersensitivityAgedDesensitization, ImmunologicHumansMaleAntineoplastic Agents, ImmunologicalCetuximabDisaccharidescetuximabdesensitizationgalactose‐alpha‐1,3‐galactose

Identifiers

PMID40874444
PMCPMC12891752

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.