Panitumumab (Vectibix ®) is a targeted therapy drug that is mainly used to treat advanced bowel cancer.
Panitumumab belongs to a group of cancer drugs known as monoclonal antibodies.These drugs are sometimes called targeted therapies. They work by ‘targeting’ specific proteins (receptors) on the surface of cells.
Certain cancers have large numbers of receptors on their surface, called epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs). When the receptors are activated, they trigger the cancer cells to grow. Panitumumab locks on to the EGFRs. This stops them stimulating the cancer cells to grow. It is most likely to work for cancers with large numbers of EGFRs on their surface.
Panitumumab belongs to a group of cancer drugs known as monoclonal antibodies.These drugs are sometimes called targeted therapies. They work by ‘targeting’ specific proteins (receptors) on the surface of cells.
Certain cancers have large numbers of receptors on their surface, called epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs). When the receptors are activated, they trigger the cancer cells to grow. Panitumumab locks on to the EGFRs. This stops them stimulating the cancer cells to grow. It is most likely to work for cancers with large numbers of EGFRs on their surface.