Trial Begins to Evaluate Panitumumab Therapy for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Amgen and Abgenix have announced the initiation of a Phase III clinical study to evaluate the potential benefits of adding panitumumab, an experimental fully human monoclonal antibody, administered every other week to bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) and either oxaliplatin- (Eloxatin, sanofi-aventis) or irinotecan (Camptosar, Pfizer)-based chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.

The clinical trial, called the PACCE (Panitumumab Advanced Colorectal Cancer Evaluation) study, is a randomized, multicenter, open-label study, with endpoints of progression-free survival, overall survival and response rate. Enrollment in the study of approximately 1,000 patients is already underway.