Drug approved for metastatic colon cancer treatment

post from The Cancer Blog on 28 September 2006 08:00:00 AM. © The Cancer Blog

Filed under: Drug, Colon and Rectal Cancer, Research, Cancer Survivors

Yesterday the Food and Drug Administration approved the drug Vectibix for patients who have metastatic colon cancer. Vectibix is to be given by IV following standard chemotherapy treatments. The FDA approved the drug after it showed effectiveness in slowing tumor growth and, in some cases, reduced tumor size.

Steven Galson, MD,MPH, the director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research said "This approval adds a treatment option for patients with an advanced stage of a disease that can be life threatening".

Vectibix is a monoclonal antibody, scientists can make monoclonal antibodies that react with specific antigens on certain types of cancer cells. As researchers discover more cancer associated antigens, they will be able to direct monoclonal antibodies against more and more cancers.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments