Amgen’s Vectibix shows efficacy in new phase III trials

Amgen has published new phase III clinical study data for its colorectal cancer drug Vectibix, highlighting the treatment's efficacy both as a first and second-line therapy.

The company has trialled the drug in the pivotal Prime 203 and 181 studies, during which it was combined with chemotherapy regimens among patients with wild-type KRAS metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

During the Prime 203 trial, the drug was able to deliver improvements in progression-free survival when used as a first-line therapy, while its response rate in the 181 study was among the best ever for a second-line colorectal cancer treatment.

The two studies were also the first phase III trials ever to analyse the effect of an EGFR inhibitor such as Vectibix based on KRAS status in patients with previously-treated mCRC.

Dr Marc Peeters, professor of oncology at Antwerp University Hospital and lead investigator of the 181 trial, said: "Both studies demonstrated that Vectibix administered with chemotherapy significantly improved progression-free survival in patients with wild-type KRAS mCRC."

According to the firm's most recent financial report, Amgen has seen year-on-year business growth in the second quarter of 2010, driven by strong sales of drugs such as Epogen and Neulasta.