How does this medicine work?

MAB Ch 14.18 is a monoclonal antibody. These are laboratory-produced substances that can locate and bind to cancer cells anywhere in the body. MAB Ch 14.18 binds to neuroblastoma cells and destroys them.

How is the medicine given?

MAB Ch 14.18 is given as an infusion through a vein (IV) or venous access device over a period of 5 hours or longer.

Pre-medications are given to help prevent side effects during the infusion. Your child will be monitored closely during the infusion.

Are there any precautions about food or other medicines?

Steroids may not be given to patients who are on MAB Ch 14.18.

Your child should not get any immunizations without the doctor’s approval.

Check with the doctor before giving any other prescription or non-prescription medicines, herbs, or vitamins.

What are the side effects?

During the infusion:

  • burning, prickling, or tingling sensation
  • abdominal (belly) pain
  • nerve pain
  • mild nausea and vomiting
  • low or high blood pressure
  • hives
  • fever

After the infusion:
Common

  • nerve pain
  • numbness or tingling
  • low or high blood pressure
  • mild nausea and vomiting
  • loss of appetite
  • fast heartbeat
  • itching
  • fever
  • electrolyte changes

Occasional

  • seizures
  • diarrhea
  • fluid build-up in tissues
  • swollen lymph glands
  • drowsiness
  • low level of protein in blood
  • high liver and kidney function tests
  • weight loss
  • low platelet count
  • feeling tired
  • joint pain

After the infusion:
Rare

  • severely high or low blood pressure
  • abnormal spasm of airways
  • numbness
  • life-threatening allergic reaction
  • slowing of eye pupils’ response to light
  • swelling of the back of the eye cause by pressure in the brain
  • nerve pain, tingling, burning sensation

When should I call the clinic?

Call hematology helpline 982403210 if:

  • fever, chills
  • cough
  • hoarseness
  • black, tarry stools
  • blood in urine or stools
  • pinpoint red spots on the skin(called petechiae)
  • signs of allergic reaction:
    • swelling of feet or lower legs
    • confusion
    • trouble breathing (call 112)

What else do I need to know?

Before and during the MAB Ch14.18 infusion, your child will receive an IV infusion of narcotic pain medicine. This will be decreased for several hours and then stopped.

Your child will also receive infusions of interleukin-2 or GM-CSF before the infusion of MAB Ch14.18. These medicines activate the body’s immune cells and increase the effectiveness of the MAB Ch 14.18

Vital signs will be checked often during the first hour of the infusion, and then hourly for the rest of the infusion, to watch for any side effects listed above.

Blood samples will be needed to check the effects of the MAB Ch 14.18.

You and your child should know the names of all the medicines he or she is taking. It is important to share this information with anyone involved in your child’s care.

Questions?

This sheet is not specific to your child but provides general information. If you have any questions, please call:

Hematology Clinic
3rd floor, Kedar
Opp.Krupa Petrol Pump,
Parimal Garden, Ambawadi
Clinic: 07926463219
Whattsapp: 8238065890