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Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) today announced detailed results from the Phase 3 '203' trial evaluating Vectibix(R) (panitumumab) administered in combination with FOLFOX (an oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy) as the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). In this trial, Vectibix significantly improved median progression-free survival (PFS) by 1.6 months (9.6 versus 8.0 months for patients treated with FOLFOX alone, (hazard ratio 0.80; p=0.02)) in patients with KRAS wild-type mCRC (primary endpoint). The results were presented at the 2009 ECCO 15 - ESMO 34 European Multidisciplinary Congress in Berlin, Germany (Abstract Number 10LBA).
Further, the addition of Vectibix to chemotherapy also improved response rate in the KRAS wild-type patient population as measured by blinded central review (55 percent versus 48 percent in the FOLFOX only arm).
"I am very pleased with the outcome of this high quality trial which demonstrated that Vectibix improved progression-free survival and appeared to be well tolerated as a first-line metastatic colorectal cancer treatment in a selected patient population," said Jean-Yves Douillard, director Clinical and Translational Research, Medical Oncology Branch, Centre R Gauducheau, France and the study's principal investigator. "This is the first prospective Phase 3 data to demonstrate the importance of KRAS mutation as a predictive biomarker for Vectibix treatment in the first-line setting, providing definitive support for the use of the KRAS biomarker for selection of patients eligible for anti-EGFR therapy."
Importantly, in patients with tumors harboring activating KRAS mutations, PFS was significantly inferior in the Vectibix arm. For patients with mutant KRAS tumors, median PFS was 7.3 months with Vectibix in combination with FOLFOX vs. 8.8 months with FOLFOX alone (hazard ratio 1.29, p=0.02). These data confirm previous findings when oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy and an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody are combined in patients bearing tumors with activating KRAS mutations.
Consistent with the PFS data, an interim analysis of overall survival, a secondary endpoint, demonstrated a reduction in overall survival in patients with KRAS mutant tumors receiving Vectibix. The median overall survival for patients with KRAS wild-type mCRC has not yet been reached. Long-term follow-up for survival continues and the primary analysis is expected in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Adverse event rates were comparable across arms with the exception of known toxicities associated with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapy such as rash, diarrhea and hypomagnesemia. Vectibix-related grade 3 infusion reactions were reported for two patients (less than 1 percent).
Originally designed to compare the treatment effect in the overall population, the study was amended to analyze outcomes with respect to the presence or absence of activating mutations in KRAS in the tumor itself. Tumor KRAS status was ascertained in 93 percent of the 1,183 patients enrolled in the trial, the highest percentage ever reported. Tumor KRAS tests were finalized after the completion of enrollment and prior to the primary analysis.
Earlier this week, data were presented from the '181' trial which showed that Vectibix administered in combination with FOLFIRI (an irinotecan-based chemotherapy) prolonged PFS by 2 months in patients with KRAS wild-type mCRC, compared to treatment with FOLFIRI alone (Abstract Number 14LBA).
Webcast Information
An analyst/investor event will also be held from the Congress on September 24th, at 6:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss data presented at ECCO-ESMO. A webcast of the event can be found on Amgen's Web site at www.amgen.com, under Investors. The audio webcast will be archived and available for replay for at least 72 hours.
Study Design
Patients enrolled in the '203' or PRIME trial (Panitumumab Randomized trial In combination with chemotherapy for Metastatic colorectal cancer to determine Efficacy) were randomized to receive either 6.0 mg/kg of Vectibix and FOLFOX4 once every two weeks (Q2W) or FOLFOX4 alone Q2W. The primary endpoint of the study is progression-free survival by KRAS status and secondary endpoints include overall survival, objective response rate, time to progression, duration of response and safety. Long-term follow up for overall survival is ongoing.
About KRAS
Results from studies performed over the last twenty-five years indicate that KRAS plays an important role in cell growth regulation. In mCRC, EGFR transmits signals through a set of intracellular proteins. Upon reaching the nucleus, these signals instruct the cancer cell to reproduce and metastasize, leading to cancer progression. Anti-EGFR antibody therapies work by blocking the activation of EGFR, thereby inhibiting downstream events that lead to malignant signaling. However, it is hypothesized that in patients whose tumors harbor a mutated KRAS gene, the KRAS protein is always turned "on," regardless of whether the EGFR has been activated or therapeutically inhibited. KRAS mutations occur in approximately 40-50 percent of mCRC.
About Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men and the third most common cancer in women worldwide. In 2007, approximately 1.2 million cases of colorectal cancer were expected to occur globally. With more than 630,000 deaths worldwide per year, it is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the Western world. The highest incidence rates are found in Japan, North America, parts of Europe, New Zealand, and Australia, and rates are low in Africa and South-East Asia. Rates are substantially higher in men than in women.
About Vectibix
Vectibix is the first fully human anti-EGFR antibody approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of mCRC. Vectibix was approved in the United States in September 2006 as a monotherapy for the treatment of patients with EGFR expressing mCRC after disease progression on or following fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin-, and irinotecan-containing chemotherapy regimens.
The effectiveness of Vectibix as a single agent for the treatment of EGFR-expressing, metastatic colorectal carcinoma is based on progression-free survival. Currently no data are available that demonstrate an improvement in disease-related symptoms or increased survival with Vectibix. Vectibix has not shown a treatment benefit for patients whose tumors had KRAS mutations in codon 12 or 13.
In December 2007, the EMEA granted a conditional marketing authorization for Vectibix as monotherapy for the treatment of patients with EGFR-expressing mCRC with wild-type KRAS genes after failure of standard chemotherapy regimens. Vectibix has been launched in over 20 countries, Switzerland, Australia and Canada. Applications in the rest of the world, including Japan, are pending.
Important Product Safety Information
Dermatologic Toxicity: Dermatologic toxicities occurred in 89 percent of patients and were severe (NCI-CTC grade 3 and higher) in 12 percent of patients receiving Vectibix monotherapy. Withhold Vectibix for dermatologic toxicities that are grade 3 or higher or are considered intolerable. If toxicity does not improve to greater than or equal to grade 2 within 1 month, permanently discontinue Vectibix. The clinical manifestations included, but were not limited to, dermatitis acneiform, pruritus, erythema, rash, skin exfoliation, paronychia, dry skin, and skin fissures. Subsequent to the development of severe dermatologic toxicities, infectious complications, including sepsis, septic death, and abscesses requiring incisions and drainage were reported.
Infusion Reactions: Severe infusion reactions occurred in approximately 1 percent of patients. Severe infusion reactions included anaphylactic reactions, bronchospasm, and hypotension. Although not reported with Vectibix, fatal infusion reactions have occurred with other monoclonal antibody products. Stop infusion if a severe infusion reaction occurs. Depending on the severity and/or persistence of the reaction, permanently discontinue Vectibix.
About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including estimates of revenues, operating margins, capital expenditures, cash, other financial metrics, expected legal, arbitration, political, regulatory or clinical results or practices, customer and prescriber patterns or practices, reimbursement activities and outcomes and other such estimates and results. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, including those discussed below and more fully described in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reports filed by Amgen, including Amgen's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and most recent periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Please refer to Amgen's most recent Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K for additional information on the uncertainties and risk factors related to our business. Unless otherwise noted, Amgen is providing this information as of Sept. 24, 2009 and expressly disclaims any duty to update information contained in this news release.
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CONTACT: Amgen, Thousand Oaks
Christine Regan: 805-447-5476 (media U.S.)
Wendy Woods: +41 (0) 41 3692 542 (media Europe)
Arvind Sood: 805-447-1060 (investors)
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