DNA Tests Determine Colon Cancer Treatment’s Effectiveness
Reported April 18, 2005
(Ivanhoe Newswire) — Colon cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer. For patients with advanced colon cancer who are resistant to chemotherapy, antiepidermal growth factor receptor (antiEGFR) monoclonal antibodies have been shown to help. Now, researchers know why.
EGFR is over-expressed in a variety of cancers including colorectal cancers. Research has demonstrated cancer cells can become dependant on EGFR growth signals for their survival. A number of cancer chemotherapeutics targeting EGFR are in development. These compounds were designed to either bind to the EGFR or inhibit growth signals.
In a recent study, researchers studied two antiEGFR monoclonal antibodies — pnitumumab, and cetuximab (Erbitux ) — to understand their molecular mechanisms. Monocolonal antibodies are typically introduced to kill or inhibit cancerous cells.
Last year, the FDA approved cetuximab to treat patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Meanwhile, panitumumab has been shown to inhibit the growth of human tumors in mice.
By examining patients’ DNA, the researchers found response to antiEGFR treatment has a genetic basis. They further recommend patients might be selected for treatment based on their DNA data as a way of predicting how successful the treatment option would be for them.
SOURCE: The Lancet, published online April 14, 2005
