• 9/14/2005
  • Newton, PA
  • Neal Bellucci
  • PharmaLive (www.pharmalive.com)

With a continued investment in innovative therapies in oncology, Merck KGaA has ongoing active development programs with additional novel therapies that may offer new hope to people with cancer. The company is best known for the first-in-class EGFR-targeted monoclonal antibody, Erbitux, comprising cetuximab, that works by blocking the epidermal growth factor receptor to inhibit tumor growth and spread.

Merck KGaA focuses on four therapeutic technology platforms in oncology: EGFR-targeting monoclonal antibodies that may block tumor growth; immunocytokines that may provide local stimulation of the immune system; angiogenesis inhibitors that may starve tumors of the blood supply they need to grow and spread; and cancer vaccines that may stimulate a specific immune response against tumors.

“These are exciting times in oncology,” says Dr. Bernhard Ehmer, VP, oncology, Merck KGaA (merck.de). “With a better understanding of the growth and spread of tumors, we are able to develop treatments that target the cancer cells and give physicians and their patients additional options with which to fight cancer.

“We are particularly excited by Erbitux not only in the treatment of colorectal cancer but also in its potential in head and neck cancer, and by BLP25 Liposome Vaccine, which is showing impressive results in the treatment of nonsmall cell lung cancer. Furthermore, our humanized EGFR-targeting monoclonal antibody matuzumab is showing potential in several types of cancer.”

Erbitux is a first-in-class and highly active IgG1 monoclonal antibody targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor. As a monoclonal antibody, the mode of action of Erbitux is distinct from standard non-selective chemotherapy treatments in that it specifically targets and binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor. This binding inhibits the activation of the receptor and the subsequent signal-transduction pathway, which results in reducing both the invasion of normal tissues by tumor cells and the spread of tumors to new sites.

Consistent findings in clinical trials support the use of Erbitux in different treatment settings. The drug has been targeted to treat various stages of colorectal cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, and nonsmall cell lung cancer.

Study results showed that Erbitux and a platinum compound, such as cisplatin or carboplatin, or Erbitux monotherapy in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck may prolong survival by 2.5 months compared to platinum-refractory historical controls. This supports Phase III data from 2004 in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck where the median overall survival for patients treated with Erbitux and radiotherapy was 54 months compared to 28 months for patients treated with radiotherapy alone.