Merck KGaA reveals treatment benefits following trial

A phase III study assessing the performance of Erbitux (cetuximab) used in combination with vinorelbine plus cisplatin in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) found that it met the primary endpoint of increasing overall survival in comparison to chemotherapy alone, Merck KGaA has announced.

According to the firm, the Flex (First Line Treatment for Patients with EGFR-EXpressing Advanced NSCLC) trial was a randomised multinational study involving patients with stage IIIB or stage IV NSCLC.

Dr Wolfgang Wein, senior executive vice-president of oncology at Merck KGaA, remarks: “Non-small cell lung cancer that has spread from the primary site is extremely difficult to treat so we are delighted with these results.

“Erbitux is the first targeted agent that when combined with platinum-based chemotherapy has demonstrated a therapeutic benefit in a first-line NSCLC study that included all histological subtypes.”

He adds that the results are significant given that recent trials of other targeted therapies, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors, have proven unsuccessful.

Last week Merck KGaA announced that it was applying to extend the use of Erbitux for first-line colorectal cancer.