Cetuximab linked to pocket infections after central venous port placement

Cetuximab therapy appears to induce skin complications in patients following central venous port placement, reports a study.

Eighty-three patients were included in the analysis, of whom five (6 percent) had central line-associated bloodstream infection and six (7 percent) had pocket infection after central venous port placement. In 45 patients treated with cetuximab, four (9 percent) had central line-associated bloodstream infection and six (13 percent) had pocket infection.

Pocket infections occurred more frequently in the cetuximab group than the other group. Patients on cetuximab also had an interval of <7 days between central venous port placement and cetuximab dosing. Alternatively, more pocket infections occurred in patients who underwent central venous port placement preceded by cetuximab dosing.

“Skin complications after the central venous port placement were related to cetuximab administration and the timing of cetuximab therapy,” the authors said.

This study included patients who had a central venous port placed between 2016 and 2021. The authors retrospectively analysed the association between cetuximab administration and the incidence of central venous port-related infection involving central line-associated bloodstream infection and pocket infection. They also examined the risk factors of these infections among cetuximab-treated patients.

“Cetuximab is a molecular targeted drug that targets epithelial growth factor receptors,” the authors said. “The skin toxicity of cetuximab arising from epithelial growth factor inhibition is well known.”