Hypersensitivity reactions related to oxaliplatin (OHP)

• Published in: British journal of cancer Vol. 89; no. 3; pp. 477 - 481
• Main Authors: BRANDI, G, PANTALEO, M. A, GALLI, C, FALCONE, A, ANTONUZZO, A, MORDENTI, P, DI MARCO, M. C, BIASCO, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basingstoke Nature Publishing Group 04.08.2003
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic Agents - adverse effects; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Clinical; Colorectal Neoplasms - drug therapy; Drug Hypersensitivity; Drug toxicity and drugs side effects treatment; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous (drug allergy, mutagens, teratogens...); Organoplatinum Compounds - adverse effects; Organoplatinum Compounds - pharmacology; Oxaliplatin; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Antineoplastic agent; Human; Allergy; Immunopathology; Rectal disease; Toxicity; Hypersensitivity; Colorectal cancer; Malignant tumor; Hypersensitivity reaction; Colonic disease; platinum compound; Chemotherapy; Anaphylaxis; Oxaliplatin; Treatment; Intestinal disease; Complication; Advanced stage; Platinum II Complexes
• ISSN: 0007-0920; 1532-1827
• DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6601155

Patients treated with platinum compounds are subject to hypersensitivity reactions. Our study has highlighted the reactions related to oxaliplatin (OHP) infusion. One hundred and twenty-four patients affected by advanced colorectal cancer were treated with different schedules containing OHP, at the Institute of Haematology and Medical Oncology 'L. and A. Seragnoli' of Bologna and at the Medical Oncology Division of Livorno Hospital. Seventeen patients (13%) showed hypersensitivity reactions after a few minutes from the start of the OHP infusion. Usually, these reactions were seen after 2-17 exposures to OHP (Mean+/-s.e.: 9.4+/-1.07). No patient experienced allergic reactions at his/her first OHP infusion. Eight patients developed a mild reaction consisting of flushing and swelling of the face and hands, itching, sweating and lachrymation. The remaining nine patients showed a moderate-severe reaction with dyspnoea, wheezing, laryngospasm, psycho-motor agitation, tachycardia, precordial pain, diffuse erythema, itching and sweating. Six patients out of 17 were re-exposed to the drug with premedication of steroids and all except one developed the hypersensitivity reaction again. The cumulative dose, the time of exposure to OHP and the clinical features are variable and unpredictable. The risk of developing hypersensitivity reactions in patients treated with a short infusion of OHP cannot be underestimated.