Randomized phase III trial results of panitumumab, a fully human anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody, in metastatic colorectal cancer.

Author(s): Gibson TB, Ranganathan A, Grothey A

Affiliation(s): CIG Medical Group, LP, Dallas, TX, USA.

Publication date & source: 2006-05, Clin Colorectal Cancer., 6(1):29-31.

Publication type: Clinical Trial, Phase III; Randomized Controlled Trial

Monoclonal antibodies against the epidermal growth factor receptor have proven efficacy as monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC: mCRC). Initial clinical trials in CRC used the human-murine chimeric monoclonal antibody cetuximab. Ongoing studies are being conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the fully human anti-epiderman growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody panitumumab. The results of a phase III trial which compared panitumumab as a single agent to best supportive care in patients with previously treated metastatic CRC have recently been reported Pantitumumab therapy resulted in a 46% reduction in the risk of tumor progression and a partial response rate of 8%. Rash was reported in 90% of patients with increased severity significantly correlated with improved medium overall survival (OS). Further clinical studies re ongoing and planned to test panitumumab in combination with chemotherapy in first-line therapy of advanced-stage CRC and adjuvant treatment of colon cancer.