Colon Cancer Drug

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today approved Vectibix (panitumumab) for the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer that has metastasized (spread to other parts of the body) following standard chemotherapy. Vectibix , a monoclonal antibody that binds to a protein called epidermal growth factor receptor or EGFR on some cancer cells, received an accelerated approval after showing effectiveness in slowing tumor growth and, in some cases, reducing the size of the tumor.


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In the United States, it is estimated that 150,000 new cases of colon cancer will be diagnosed and 55,000 deaths will occur from colon and rectal cancer in 2006. Approximately 70 percent of all colorectal carcinomas test positive for EGFR.

"Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer mortality in the United States," said Dr. Steven Galson, director of FDA