Amgen’s cancer treatment Vectibix performs well during trials

Amgen has announced that two phase III clinical studies into its metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) therapy Vectibix (panitumumab) yielded promising results.

The effectiveness of the therapy in the treatment of these patients was evaluated alongside the administering of chemotherapy.

One of the trials was a randomised study of panitumumab with FOLFIRI Vs FOLFIRI alone as a second-line treatment, while the other involved panitumumab with FOLFOX4 compared to FOLFOX4 alone as a first-line treatment.

Detailed data from the studies will be unveiled by the company on Sunday January 24th at a conference for professionals in the industry.

“The results from the […] trials evaluating Vectibix administered in combination with chemotherapy […] provide important information for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and the physicians who care for them,” said Roger Perlmutter, executive vice-president of research and development at Amgen.

Earlier this week, Amgen announced that it has donated $2 million (1.21 million pounds) to Haiti earthquake relief efforts and is also encouraging its employees to contribute money to the cause.