Treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer: focus on panitumumab

Abstract

Rebecca Y Tay,1 Rachel Wong,1–3 Eliza A Hawkes1,3,4 1Department of Medical Oncology, Eastern Health, Box Hill, VIC, Australia; 2Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia; 3Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; 4Department of Oncology, Olivia Newton John Cancer and Wellness Centre, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia Abstract: Targeted agents are an important therapeutic option in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Panitumumab is a recombinant, fully humanized, immunoglobulin G2 monoclonal antibody that targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) with efficacy in mCRC as monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy. Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) mutation status has emerged as an important biomarker to predict response to anti-EGFR therapy. Optimal timing for panitumumab use in the mCRC treatment algorithm has not been established. This review discusses the mechanism of action, predictive biomarkers, and role of panitumumab in the treatment of mCRC. Keywords: panitumumab, metastatic colorectal cancer, KRAS, RAS, EGFR, monoclonal antibody