Vectibix(R) in Combination With Chemotherapy Significantly Improves Progression-Free Survival in First-Line Metastatic Colorec...(tion An analyst/investor event will ...),Health

An analyst/investor event will also be held from the Congress on September 24th, at 6:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss data presented at ECCO-ESMO. A webcast of the event can be found on Amgen's Web site at www.amgen.com, under Investors. The audio webcast will be archived and available for replay for at least 72 hours.

Study Design

Patients enrolled in the '203' or PRIME trial (Panitumumab Randomized trial In combination with chemotherapy for Metastatic colorectal cancer to determine Efficacy) were randomized to receive either 6.0 mg/kg of Vectibix and FOLFOX4 once every two weeks (Q2W) or FOLFOX4 alone Q2W. The primary endpoint of the study is progression-free survival by KRAS status and secondary endpoints include overall survival, objective response rate, time to progression, duration of response and safety. Long-term follow up for overall survival is ongoing.

About KRAS

Results from studies performed over the last twenty-five years indicate that KRAS plays an important role in cell growth regulation. In mCRC, EGFR transmits signals through a set of intracellular proteins. Upon reaching the nucleus, these signals instruct the cancer cell to reproduce and metastasize, leading to cancer progression. Anti-EGFR antibody therapies work by blocking the activation of EGFR, thereby inhibiting downstream events that lead to malignant signaling. However, it is hypothesized that in patients whose tumors harbor a mutated KRAS gene, the KRAS protein is always turned "on," regardless of whether the EGFR has been activated or therapeutically inhibited. KRAS mutations occur in approximately 40-50 percent of mCRC.

About Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men and
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