Vectibix
® (
panitumumab) is a prescription medication approved to treat
colorectal cancer (
cancer of the colon and rectum) that has spread to other areas of the body after treatment with other chemotherapy. It is only used in the treatment of cancer that has a certain protein, known as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), on the surface of the cancer cells.
Who Makes This Medication?
Vectibix is manufactured by Amgen, Inc.
How Does Vectibix Work?
Vectibix works by binding to a certain receptor in the body called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). EGFR is found on the surface of normal cells and some cancer cells.
Normally, certain proteins, such as epidermal growth factor, bind to EGFR and tell cells to grow. By binding to EGFR, Vectibix blocks these proteins from binding and slows down the growth of cancer cells. Vectibix does not cure cancer.
In clinical trials, Vectibix was shown to extend the amount of time until colorectal cancer progressed (got worse). In one study, people who received Vectibix had approximately 36 more days without further disease progression than people who did receive Vectibix. However, the medication did not appear to improve cancer symptoms or help people live longer.
HealthSavvy Sign In
|
