Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2011 Dec;6(4):227-33.
doi: 10.1007/s11523-011-0200-y. Epub 2011 Nov 24.

Hypomagnesaemia and targeted anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) agents

Andreia Costa  1 , Sabine Tejpar, Hans Prenen, Eric Van Cutsem
Affiliations
Review

Hypomagnesaemia and targeted anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) agents

Andreia Costa et al. Target Oncol. 2011 Dec.

Abstract

Currently, targeted anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) agents have an important role in the treatment of various cancers. These drugs, particularly anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies, may induce electrolyte disorders, such as hypomagnesaemia and hypocalcaemia. Early symptoms of magnesium deficiency can easily go unrecognized. However, hypomagnesaemia can in rare cases lead to serious clinical manifestations, including cardiac arrhythmias or convulsions. The elective tubular expression of renal EGF/EGFR explains the mechanism of this class-related drug side effect. Inhibition of the EGFR induces a mutated-like transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily M, member 6 (TRPM6) syndrome, characterized by urinary magnesium and calcium wasting. The risk of hypomagnesaemia is associated with treatment duration. It is a reversible toxicity; the recovery of magnesium serum levels is usually seen 4-6 weeks of stopping the anti-EGFR antibody. Using literature from peer-reviewed journals, this review reports the clinical trials findings and discusses the mechanisms and the treatment of hypomagnesaemia induced by anti-EGFR targeted agents.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Curr Opin Oncol. 2010 Nov;22(6):573-8 - PubMed
    1. Nat Genet. 2002 Jun;31(2):171-4 - PubMed
    1. Ann Oncol. 2008 Apr;19(4):734-8 - PubMed
    1. Kidney Int. 1996 Mar;49(3):656-65 - PubMed
    1. J Clin Oncol. 2007 May 1;25(13):1658-64 - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources