Amgen announces interim Vectibix data

Amgen has presented interim safety data from two phase III clinical trials of Vectibix (panitumumab) administered in combination with standard chemotherapy in the first and second line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.

The results of the Prime and the 181 studies, as well as those of the Stepp study, were presented at the 2008 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium in Orlando, Florida this week.

Vectibix is a treatment approved as a monotherapy for patients with EGFr-expressing metastatic colorectal cancer after disease progression, or following chemotherapy regimens contaning irinotecan, oxaliplatin or fluoropyrimidine.

The safety data from the trials showed a range of grade three and four adverse affects, including neutropenia, diarrhoea, fatigue, nausea and pulmonary embolism, among others.

David Chang, vice-president for oncology clinical development at Amgen, said: “These phase III studies will provide important information about the efficacy of Vectibix when used in combination with conventional chemotherapy regimens.”

He added that the company is continuing to make further progress in assessing the possible use of Vectibix in this indication.

Last week, Amgen reported that patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who have not benefited from other chemotherapeutic regimens may benefit from Vectibix.

The firm said that patients with non-mutated KRAS tumours saw an increased rate of progression-free survival when receiving the compound.