Panitumumab: in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.
Panitumumab is a fully human immunoglobulin G2 monoclonal antibody highly selective for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is overexpressed in 25-77% of colorectal cancers. This overexpression is frequently associated with a poor prognosis. In a large, randomised, nonblind, multicentre phase III study in pretreated adult patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and EGFR staining in >or=1% tumour cells, panitumumab 6 mg/kg every 2 weeks plus best supportive care (BSC) was significantly (p < 0.0001) more effective in improving progression-free survival than BSC alone; recipients of panitumumab plus BSC had a 46% lower disease progression rate than those receiving BSC alone after a median follow-up of 19 weeks. Panitumumab 6 mg/kg every 2 weeks or 2.5 mg/kg/week, administered as monotherapy, produced partial response rates of 8-13% and stable disease rates of 21-30% in pretreated patients with metastatic colorectal cancer in three noncomparative, multicentre phase II studies. Preliminary phase II results also suggest a potential role for panitumumab as first-line therapy in combination with fluorouracil, folinic acid and irinotecan in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Panitumumab was generally well tolerated. Grade 3/4 skin-related toxicities were reported in 14% of patients receiving panitumumab plus BSC in the phase III study (versus 0% of patients receiving BSC alone). An analysis of pooled data found that high-affinity binding antibodies to panitumumab were detected in <1% of patients.
Hoy
Sheridan M
SM
Wolters Kluwer Health, Adis, Auckland, New Zealand. demail@adis.co.nz
Wagstaff
Antona J
AJ
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D000077544:Panitumumab
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077544:Panitumumab; D066246:ErbB Receptors