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The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)–targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib is FDA-approved to combine with gemcitabine in metastatic pancreatic cancer. However, the benefits are marginal, and more-effective systemic therapies have replaced this treatment option. Mutations in KRAS, which are present in nearly 90% of pancreatic cancers, may mitigate any benefit for EGFR-targeted agents.
Investigators report results of an industry-sponsored, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in patients with KRAS wild-type advanced pancreatic cancer who had received no prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Patients received weekly gemcitabine for 3 weeks on and 1 week off combined with either placebo or the EGFR-targeting monoclonal antibo…