14th annual ECCO conference hears exciting data on combination therapy with biologics

The 14th annual European Cancer Conference was held in Barcelona, Spain, between September 23 and 27. With over 1,300 presentations from scientists working in 75 countries, conference delegates discussed the latest advances in stem cell research, proteomics, biomarkers, pharmacogenomics, imaging and the treatment of cancer, with more new data from Phase III clinical trials than ever before.

One of the issues addressed at this year's ECCO meeting was the value of combining different biologic treatments in cancer patients. Reassurance about this approach came from a study investigating chimeric IgG1anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody Erbitux (cetuximab; from ImClone, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck KGaA) in combination with Roche's anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agent Avastin (bevacizumab). This is the first study to combine them in a four-drug regimen with other chemotherapy agents. Concerns have been heightened since the Phase III PACCE trial found a negative outcome after combining US biotechnology major Amgen's humanized IgG2 EGFR inhibitor Vectibix (panitumumab) with Avastin and three chemotherapy agents.

An interim safety analysis from the CAIRO 2 study in metastatic colorectal cancer shows that adding Erbitux to standard first-line therapy of Avastin, oxaliplatin and capecitabine produces no excess adverse events. "Effects were comparable other than for the skin rash associated with a good response to Erbitux," say investigators. Data on 389 of the 755 patients participating in the Dutch government-funded Phase III trial were presented at the ECCO.