In a nutshell
This study investigated the effectiveness and safety of short 15-minute panitumumab (Vectibix) injections. Researchers suggested that these injections were well tolerated with manageable side effects.
Some background
Panitumumab is a therapy that targets the EFGR receptor on cancer cells. This blocks cell growth which results in cell death. Recent studies showed that this agent combined with irinotecan as third line therapy was associated with improved outcomes in metastatic (spread to other parts of the body) colorectal cancer.
Another study showed that 60 and 30 minute injections of panitumumab alone had similar effects on the patients without increased side effects. Although 15-minute injections would enhance patient convenience, the effectiveness and toxicity of this treatment is not clear.
Methods & findings
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of 15-minute injections of panitumumab to treat advanced colorectal cancer.
43 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer were included. All patients received chemotherapy twice a week, consisting of panitumumab, irinotecan, 5-HT3 and dexamethasone. The initial panitumumab injection was given over 60 minutes, followed by a 30-minute injection and then 15-minute injections. Treatment continued until disease progression or toxicity. After an average follow-up period of 16.8 months, 32 patients had stopped treatment due to progression or toxicity.
The total cancer response rate was 37.2%. The average progression-free survival (time from treatment to cancer progression) was 5.8 months and overall survival (time from treatment until death from any cause) was 13.6 months. 9 patients did not reach the 15-minute injection mostly because of disease progression.
The most common negative effects were anorexia (12%; lack or loss of appetite for food), leukopenia and neutropenia (9%; a reduction in the number of white cells in the blood). No injection-related reactions were observed.
The bottom line
This study showed that 15-minute injections of panitumumab was well tolerated without compromising effectiveness or toxicity.
Published By :
Clinical Colorectal Cancer
Date :
Mar 01, 2018
