Extended physicochemical stability of cetuximab in opened vials and infusion bags when stored at 4°C and 25°C.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to determine the stability of cetuximab: (1) under "in-use" conditions after dilution to 1†mg/mL in 0.9% sodium chloride in polyolefin bags and (2) as an undiluted solution (5†mg/mL) repackaged in polypropylene bags or kept in the vial after opening. METHODS: Ready-to-use 500†mg/100†mL vials of cetuximab solution were diluted to 1†mg/mL in 100†mL bags of 0.9% sodium chloride or repackaged as a 5†mg/mL solution into empty 100†mL bags. Bags and vials were stored at 4°C for 90 days and 25°C for 3 days. A syringe sample of 7†mL was taken from each bag for the initial determinations. The sampled bags were weighed to determine their initial weight and placed under the planned storage conditions. The physicochemical stability of cetuximab was estimated using validated methods. RESULTS: No changes in turbidity, no protein loss, and no changes in cetuximab tertiary structure were observed after 30 days of storage or when subjected to a temperature excursion of 3 days at 25°C and when stored at 4°C for up to 90 days, regardless of the concentrations and batches. The colligative parameters did not change under any of the tested conditions. No evidence of microbial growth was found in bags after 90 days of storage at 4°C. CONCLUSION: These results support the extended in-use shelf-life of cetuximab vials and bags, which can be cost-effective for healthcare providers.