Amgen: Vectibix improves progression-free survival for cancer patients

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. An investigative biotech drug administered together with chemotherapy helped extend the lives of cancer patients without their disease getting worse, also known as progression-free survival, according to results of two clinical trials announced this week by Amgen.

According to Amgen, the “PRIME 203” and “PRIME 181” trials showed that the drug Vectibix (panitumumab) significantly improved progression-free survival of patients with a form of advanced colorectal cancer when combined with the FOLFOX or FOLFIRI chemotherapy regimen, compared with the chemotherapy regimens alone. Results of the study were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

The “PRIME 203” trial involved 1,183 patients who received Vectibix with FOLFOX or FOLFOX alone, while the 1,186-patient “PRIME 181” trial was designed in a similar way, but with the FOLFIRI chemotherapy regimen.