Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany announces today that it will be presenting new data from several studies of Erbitux® (cetuximab) in a range of solid tumor types - including the first Phase II data in breast and prostate cancers. These data will be presented at the forthcoming 35th European Society for Medical Oncology Congress (ESMO) in Milan, October 8-12, 2010.
New data in breast cancer and prostate cancer
The first data from a randomized Phase II study of Erbitux in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) will be presented during the ESMO Congress. TNBC does not express receptors for estrogen, progesterone or HER2 and does thus not respond to hormone or anti-HER2 therapy. Although TNBC can be treated with chemotherapy, early relapse and metastasis are common. These new data for Erbitux are therefore particularly relevant as TNBC represents a significant threat to women with this type of cancer, for whom there are few treatment options or hopes for cure.
In addition, new data for Erbitux in prostate cancer will be presented for the first time at the ESMO Congress. Experts predict a greater than 13% rise in the number of cases of the disease diagnosed this year compared to 20091 reinforcing a clear and urgent need for effective new treatments.
In addition to this promising data for Erbitux in novel indications, Merck Serono will also present new results from key studies of Erbitux in existing treatment areas:
Metastatic colorectal cancer
Latest findings from the renowned Phase III CRYSTAL study, which established the value of the KRAS biomarker in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), will be presented. The personalized therapy model has revolutionized cancer management. Merck Serono has been a driving force behind this dynamic shift in the mCRC treatment approach with its groundbreaking data from multiple Erbitux studies.
Head and neck cancer
Recent developments in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) have generated a paradigm shift in treatment of this disease. Data from two key surveys will quantify the role of Erbitux in the treatment of SCCHN. Erbitux is the only proven targeted therapy and - as combination treatment - a standard of care for patients with locally advanced and 1st line recurrent metastatic SCCHN.
www.GlobalCancerNews.com
Merck Serono is committed to developing quality resources to provide the latest information on developments in oncology. Before and during the ESMO Congress www.globalcancernews.com will provide information and opportunities to keep media informed about the latest data and expert opinions coming from the event. Registration takes less than a minute and visitors to the site will be able to:
- Book one-to-one interviews with key medical experts (first-come-first-served basis)
- Access hot-off-the-press news about Erbitux at the ESMO Congress
- Listen to leading experts put the latest data into context within the oncology landscape
- Download photos, animations and fact sheets
Blood-based DNA test spares bladder cancer patients from unnecessary treatments