New Tests Underway of Erbitux for Colon Cancer

ImClone Systems Inc. and Bristol-Myers Squibb Inc. are beginning a new round of clinical tests of Erbitux, which many continue to view as a a promising drug for treating colon cancer.

By the end of the year, the companies also hope to begin an "expanded access" program to provide Erbitux to desperately ill cancer patients not in a trial.

Patient advocates have been negotiating with ImClone for the past year to start an expanded access program.

Clinical trials of Erbitux have been in limbo for nine months since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it found many deficiencies with the previous clinical trial (see earlier Colorectal Cancer Week story).

Bristol, which has taken the lead in designing the clinical trials, said the companies have begun a 250-patient trial to test Erbitux alone in colon cancer patients who had failed to respond to chemotherapy.

Other Sources: Bristol-Myers Squibb