Vectibix launched for bowel cancer in UK
pharmafile | February 8, 2008 | News story | Sales and Marketing |Â Â colorectal cancerÂ
Vectibix, a new treatment for advanced colorectal cancer, has been launched in the UK.
The treatment from Amgen was first rejected in Europe last year, but won approval in December after its benefits were considered to outweigh its harsh side effects.
Vectibux is used on its own in patients whose tumour cells have a protein on their surface called the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The protein contains a non-mutated 'KRAS' – a gene that, when mutated in tumour cells, stimulates tumour growth.
Around 90% of patients receiving Vectibix experience mild or moderate side effects affecting the skin, but more favourably, it is possible to identify which patients will respond to the drug before taking it.
Data has proved the KRAS gene is a biomarker – something that can be seen to indicate patients who will suit treatment – and Amgen will make a suitable test kit available.
Dr Charles Brigden, medical director for Amgen UK, said: "Vectibix is an important step forward in personalised cancer care. It is the first targeted therapy in Amgen's oncology therapeutic portfolio and underlines Amgen's commitment to validating and implementing novel, clinically-relevant biomarkers to help physicians select the right treatment for patients."
But modest clinical data and the fact Amgen has halved its initial projected sales for the drug indicate Vectibux may struggle to contend with rival Erbitux.
Erbitux, from Merck Serono, operates in the same way and was the first in this new class treatment for advanced colorectal cancer. It was approved in Europe in 2004 and could reach blockbuster sales in 2008 if granted its anticipated wider licence as a first-line treatment.
In contrast, Vectibix has been licensed for use only after other combinations of chemotherapy have failed.
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