Vectibix is the first human antibody developed for the treatment of patients whose colorectal cancer has spread after chemotherapy treatments. The therapy targets a protein called the epidermal growth factor receptor.
Vectibix is the first antibody to target the epidermal growth factor that has shown to significantly improve progression-free survival in patients with colorectal cancer. There is currently no data available to demonstrate an improvement in symptoms or increased survival with Vectibix and therefore the therapy will be used as a last resort treatment for colorectal cancer.
The FDA approved Vectibix as a result of a clinical trial, where the drug was shown to delay progression of disease. Results showed that the average time to disease progression was 96 days, compared to 60 days among people who were not administered Vectibix.
Vectibix will be priced at approximately 20% less than a similar product Erbitux manufactured by ImClone Systems. The decision to market Vectibix at a lower price comes after recent criticism of the high cost of current oncology treatments.
The goal of developing entirely human monoclonal antibodies is to offer effective targeted therapies with lessened risk of immune response against these agents. Vectibix is seen as one of the most innovative drugs in development by Amgen.
Vectibix is being evaluated in ongoing clinical trials as both a monotherapy and in combination with other agents for the treatment of various types of cancer.