Epidermal growth factor receptor-targeted therapy of colorectal cancer with panitumumab

Panitumumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody directed against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which when overexpressed may contribute to the development and progression of cancer and is present in several solid tumors, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Panitumumab is registered in USA for the treatment of patients with EGFR expressing CRC after disease progression on or following fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin-, and irinotecan-containing chemotherapy regimens. The present evidence of effectiveness of Panitumumab for the treatment of metastatic CRC is based on objective tumor respose as well as on progressioh-free survival. This review article summarizes the development of Panitumumab in preclinical and early phase trials in CRC and focuses on the most recent results available from advanced phase clinical trials, with an update on presentations at the 2007 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).