Colorectal cancer drug launched
Panitumumab, a new drug for colorectal cancer, has been launched this week.
Marketed by Amgen as Vectibix, panitumumab is a monoclonal antibody. It binds to and inhibits human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). EGFR activates the KRAS gene, which stimulates other cell proteins to promote cell proliferation, cell survival and angiogenesis.
Panitumumab is licensed for patients who have EGFR-expressing metastatic colorectal cancer and the non-mutated (wild-type) KRAS gene and who have experienced failure of fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin- or irinotecan-based chemotherapy regimens.
Amgen has launched a screening test to verify non-mutated KRAS expression. The company says that, by focusing treatment on patients with non-mutated KRAS, clinicians can maximise response rates and minimise unnecessary side effects in patients for whom treatment is not appropriate.
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