Cetuximab Fails to Improve Survival in Colon Cancer

Adding cetuximab to chemotherapy did not improve disease-free survival in patients with resected, KRAS wild-type, stage III disease.

Adjuvant therapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and oxaliplatin–based chemotherapy improves disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with stage III colon cancer. Cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor, has demonstrated activity as a single agent in KRAS wild-type colorectal cancer and has been shown to improve PFS and antitumor response when combined with chemotherapy in KRAS wild-type patients (JW Oncol Hematol May 19 2009).

Now, investigators have conducted a multicenter, randomized, phase III trial to determine whether adding cetuximab to standard adjuvant mFOLFOX6 (modified leucovorin, 5-FU, and oxaliplatin version 6) would improve DFS (the primary outcome) in patients with re…

Reviewing Author

David H. Ilson, MD, PhD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAstraZeneca; Merck; Taiho; Astellas; Bristol Myers Squibb; Regeneron; Oncolys; Amgen; Daiichi Sankyo

David H. Ilson, MD, PhD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAstraZeneca; Merck; Taiho; Astellas; Bristol Myers Squibb; Regeneron; Oncolys; Amgen; Daiichi Sankyo