Global BulletinAll NewsFDA Approval AlertWomen in Oncology
Expert InterviewsAround the PracticeBetween the LinesFace OffFrom All AnglesMeeting of the MindsOncViewPodcastsTraining AcademyTreatment Algorithms with the Oncology BrothersVideos
Conferences
All JournalsEditorial BoardFor AuthorsYear in Review
Frontline ForumSatellite Sessions
CME/CE
Awareness MonthInteractive ToolsNurse Practitioners/Physician's AssistantsPartnersSponsoredSponsored Media
Career CenterSubscribe
Adverse Effects
Brain Cancer
Breast CancerBreast CancerBreast Cancer
Gastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal Cancer
Genitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary Cancers
Gynecologic CancersGynecologic CancersGynecologic CancersGynecologic Cancers
Head & Neck Cancer
Hematologic OncologyHematologic OncologyHematologic OncologyHematologic Oncology
InfectionInfection
Leukemia
Lung CancerLung CancerLung Cancer
Lymphoma
Neuroendocrine Tumors
Oncology
Pediatric Cancers
Radiation Oncology
Sarcoma
Screening
Skin Cancer & Melanoma
Surgery
Thyroid Cancer
Spotlight -
  • Radiation Oncology
  • Surgery
Adverse Effects
Brain Cancer
Breast CancerBreast CancerBreast Cancer
Gastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal Cancer
Genitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary Cancers
Gynecologic CancersGynecologic CancersGynecologic CancersGynecologic Cancers
Head & Neck Cancer
Hematologic OncologyHematologic OncologyHematologic OncologyHematologic Oncology
InfectionInfection
Leukemia
Lung CancerLung CancerLung Cancer
Lymphoma
Neuroendocrine Tumors
Oncology
Pediatric Cancers
Radiation Oncology
Sarcoma
Screening
Skin Cancer & Melanoma
Surgery
Thyroid Cancer
    • Conferences
    • CME/CE
    • Career Center
    • Subscribe

Your AI-Trained Oncology Knowledge Connection!

scout
Advertisement

Plenary Study Links KRAS Status to Effectiveness of Cetuximab in Colon Cancer Patients

June 1, 2008
Publication
Article
OncologyONCOLOGY Vol 22 No 5
Volume 22
Issue 5

A new analysis of a randomized, controlled clinical trial investigating cetuximab (Erbitux) in the treatment of first-line metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) highlights the increased efficacy of cetuximab in patients who have tumors with nonmutated (ie, wild-type) KRAS. These results were presented by lead investigator Eric Van Cutsem, md, phd, professor of medicine and digestive oncology from the University Hospital Gasthuisberg in Leuven, Belgium, at the plenary session of the 44th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), held May 30 through June 3 in Chicago (abstract 2).

A new analysis of a randomized, controlled clinical trial investigating cetuximab (Erbitux) in the treatment of first-line metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) highlights the increased efficacy of cetuximab in patients who have tumors with nonmutated (ie, wild-type) KRAS. These results were presented by lead investigator Eric Van Cutsem, md, phd, professor of medicine and digestive oncology from the University Hospital Gasthuisberg in Leuven, Belgium, at the plenary session of the 44th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), held May 30 through June 3 in Chicago (abstract 2).

CRYSTAL Trial

The new analysis from the phase III CRYSTAL trial found that patients with KRAS wild-type tumors treated with cetuximab in combination with standard chemotherapy in the first-line setting experienced significantly enhanced efficacy compared to those bearing a KRAS mutation. Patients with KRAS wild-type tumors experienced significantly increased response rates and significantly decreased risk of progression compared to the patients with a KRAS mutation in their tumors.

The previously reported CRYSTAL study investigated cetuximab in combination with the standard chemotherapy regimen FOLFIRI (fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan) in 540 mCRC patients. This new analysis found that the addition of cetuximab in patients with KRAS wild-type tumors led to:

• A significant increase in response rate up to 59% compared to 43% for those receiving FOLFIRI alone (P = .0025)

• A 32% decrease in risk of progression (hazard ratio = 0.68; P = .017), which was also reflected in a statistically significant higher progression-free survival compared to patients receiving FOLFIRI alone (43% vs 25% at 1 year).

‘Real Advance’ in First-Line Treatment

“These results are extremely exciting. They are the first biomarker data from major studies in the first-line setting, which clearly demonstrate the increased efficacy of Erbitux in combination with standard chemotherapy in patients who have wild-type KRAS tumors,” commented Professor Van Cutsem. “The chance that these patients would be alive after 1 year without tumor growth nearly doubled compared to those receiving irinotecan-based chemotherapy alone. This is a real advance in first-line mCRC treatment.”

Articles in this issue

SBRS to Manage Painful Bone Metastases: The Challenges Ahead
Unanswered Questions About SBRT in Bone Metastases
Compact Guide to Breast Cancer Medical Treatment Available
New Drug Application Submitted for Casopitant in CINV
Oncotype DX Test Expanded to Include ER and PR Scores
US Oncology Launches Oncology-Specific Service for Billing and Reimbursement
Bevacizumab Slows Cancer Growth in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Advanced Breast Cancer
Bevacizumab Slows Cancer Growth in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Advanced Breast Cancer
Gemcitabine Improves Overall Survival in Early-Stage Pancreatic Cancer
Highlights From the 2008 Meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology
Immunosuppresant Everolimus Improves Progression-Free Survival in Advanced Kidney Cancer Patients
Plenary Study Links KRAS Status to Effectiveness of Cetuximab in Colon Cancer Patients
Single Dose of Chemotherapy as Effective as Radiation Therapy for Early-Stage Testicular Cancer
Zoledronic Acid Reduces Recurrence in Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer Undergoing Hormonal Therapy
FDA Approves TCH Combination for HER2-Positive Early Breast Cancer

Newsletter

Stay up to date on recent advances in the multidisciplinary approach to cancer.

Subscribe Now!
Recent Videos
Those being treated for peritoneal carcinomatosis may not have to experience the complication rates or prolonged recovery associated with surgical options.
For patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis, integrating PIPAC into a treatment regimen does not interrupt their systemic therapy.
According to Benjamin J. Golas, MD, PIPAC could be used as a bridging therapy before surgical debulking or between subsequent large surgical operations.
According to Benjamin Golas, MD, PIPAC is emerging as minimally invasive laparoscopic approach for patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis.
According to Ronan J. Kelly, deciding whether to give nivolumab- or durvalumab-based regimens in gastric cancers may rely on a patient’s frailty.
Five-year follow-up revealed that patients treated with nivolumab vs placebo in the phase 3 CheckMate 577 trial experienced a “doubling” of survival.
Patients treated with nivolumab in the phase 3 CheckMate 577 trial were less likely to experience progression-related treatment discontinuation vs placebo.
Testing a patient’s genetics may influence decisions such as using longer courses of radiotherapy, says Rachit Kumar, MD.
Related Content

Results from the phase 3 CABINET trial demonstrated a clear progression-free survival benefit with cabozantinib vs placebo in patients with well-differentiated pNET/epNET.

EC Approves Cabozantinib Monotherapy in Previously Treated pNET/epNET

Tim Cortese
July 25th 2025
Article

Results from the phase 3 CABINET trial demonstrated a clear progression-free survival benefit with cabozantinib vs placebo in patients with well-differentiated pNET/epNET.


Benjamin Golas, MD, discusses how the use of PIPAC may work in conjunction with systemic chemotherapy for those with peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Harnessing PIPAC to Improve Outcomes in Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

Benjamin J. Golas, MD
June 30th 2025
Podcast

Benjamin Golas, MD, discusses how the use of PIPAC may work in conjunction with systemic chemotherapy for those with peritoneal carcinomatosis.


Perioperative Chemo Improves Survival, Control in Esophageal Cancer

Perioperative Chemo Improves Survival, Control in Esophageal Cancer

Tim Cortese
July 19th 2025
Article

Patients with nonmetastatic esophageal cancer who received FLOT chemotherapy achieved a 3-year OS rate of 61.1% in an analysis of the phase 3 ESOPEC trial.


The approval of sotorasib plus panitumumab is a “welcome step” in KRAS G12C-mutated colorectal cancer, according to Marwan G. Fakih, MD.

Sotorasib Combo Approval May Address Novel Therapy Need in KRAS G12C+ CRC

Marwan G. Fakih, MD
February 24th 2025
Podcast

The approval of sotorasib plus panitumumab is a “welcome step” in KRAS G12C-mutated colorectal cancer, according to Marwan G. Fakih, MD.


Transarterial chemoembolization plus sorafenib did not significantly improve overall survival in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma vs sorafenib alone.

Transarterial Chemoembolization Regimen Shows PFS Improvement in HCC

Roman Fabbricatore
July 16th 2025
Article

Transarterial chemoembolization plus sorafenib did not significantly improve overall survival in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma vs sorafenib alone.


3 Intraoperative Radiotherapy: Alive and Well in the Bronx

3 Intraoperative Radiotherapy: Alive and Well in the Bronx

Caroline Oska;Eleni Kohilakis;Jana Fox
July 15th 2025
Article
Related Content

Results from the phase 3 CABINET trial demonstrated a clear progression-free survival benefit with cabozantinib vs placebo in patients with well-differentiated pNET/epNET.

EC Approves Cabozantinib Monotherapy in Previously Treated pNET/epNET

Tim Cortese
July 25th 2025
Article

Results from the phase 3 CABINET trial demonstrated a clear progression-free survival benefit with cabozantinib vs placebo in patients with well-differentiated pNET/epNET.


Benjamin Golas, MD, discusses how the use of PIPAC may work in conjunction with systemic chemotherapy for those with peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Harnessing PIPAC to Improve Outcomes in Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

Benjamin J. Golas, MD
June 30th 2025
Podcast

Benjamin Golas, MD, discusses how the use of PIPAC may work in conjunction with systemic chemotherapy for those with peritoneal carcinomatosis.


Perioperative Chemo Improves Survival, Control in Esophageal Cancer

Perioperative Chemo Improves Survival, Control in Esophageal Cancer

Tim Cortese
July 19th 2025
Article

Patients with nonmetastatic esophageal cancer who received FLOT chemotherapy achieved a 3-year OS rate of 61.1% in an analysis of the phase 3 ESOPEC trial.


The approval of sotorasib plus panitumumab is a “welcome step” in KRAS G12C-mutated colorectal cancer, according to Marwan G. Fakih, MD.

Sotorasib Combo Approval May Address Novel Therapy Need in KRAS G12C+ CRC

Marwan G. Fakih, MD
February 24th 2025
Podcast

The approval of sotorasib plus panitumumab is a “welcome step” in KRAS G12C-mutated colorectal cancer, according to Marwan G. Fakih, MD.


Transarterial chemoembolization plus sorafenib did not significantly improve overall survival in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma vs sorafenib alone.

Transarterial Chemoembolization Regimen Shows PFS Improvement in HCC

Roman Fabbricatore
July 16th 2025
Article

Transarterial chemoembolization plus sorafenib did not significantly improve overall survival in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma vs sorafenib alone.


3 Intraoperative Radiotherapy: Alive and Well in the Bronx

3 Intraoperative Radiotherapy: Alive and Well in the Bronx

Caroline Oska;Eleni Kohilakis;Jana Fox
July 15th 2025
Article
Advertisement
About
Advertise
CureToday.com
OncLive.com
OncNursingNews.com
TargetedOnc.com
Editorial
Contact
Terms and Conditions
Privacy
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Contact Info

2 Commerce Drive
Cranbury, NJ 08512

609-716-7777

© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.