Establish ras status before initiating cetuximab for colorectal cancer

摘要

HEALTHCARE professionals should establish wild-type ras status in people with metastatic colorectal cancer before initiating cetuximab (Erbitux), alone or in combination with oxaliplatin-containing chemotherapy, according to the February Drug Safety Update from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. The DSU highlights a letter to health professionals sent by manufacturer Merck Serono which explains that wild-type Rras exon 2 status was already required for initiation of treatment. However, further data from a randomised, multicentre phase 2 study has shown that wild-type ras at exons 3 and 4 of Kras and 2, 3 and 4 of Nras is needed for the drug to be active.