Merck KGaA's Erbitux boosts colorectal cancer survival rate

There was promising news for Germanys Merck KGaAs cancer drug Erbitux this week as a study called CELIM showed it increased the chances of a cure for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Supplementing pre-operative chemotherapy with Erbitux in patients with KRAS wild-type advanced colorectal cancer and inoperable liver metastases produced a 70% overall tumour response rate.

By the end of the study, 34% of patients with inoperable tumours had had their tumour tissue completely surgically removeda very favourable outcome in comparison with historical controls in this setting, according to Mercks Serono unit.

These results from CELIM provide important evidence that the personalised treatment approach with Erbitux, using KRAS as a biomarker, offers patients with metastatic colorectal cancer an increased chance of a cure, said Dr. Oliver Kisker, Senior Vice-President of Merck Seronos oncology unit. In this disease, tumour response and shrinkage are crucial for reducing patients symptoms, extending survival and also maximising the chance of a cure.