Authors' objectives: Nimotuzumab is intended to be used as second line therapy for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. If licensed, it will provide an additional treatment option for this patient group. Nimotuzumab is a recombinant humanised monoclonal antibody which targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), blocking the binding of epidermal growth factor to its receptor and interfering with the cell signalling pathway. Nimotuzumab does not currently have Marketing Authorisation in the EU for any indication. Pancreatic cancer is the 10th most common cancer in the UK, accounting for around 3% of all new cases. In 2011, there were 7,276 new diagnoses in England. Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive cancer and has one of the worst prognoses of all solid tumours, with more than 95% of those affected dying of their disease. The high mortality rate is due to late diagnosis, early metastasis and poor response to treatments. The 1-year survival rate is around 20.8%, and the 5- and 10-year survival rates are 3.3% and 1.1% respectively. Surgery is the only curative treatment for pancreatic cancer, but this approach is only suitable for patients with early stage disease. Gemcitabine-based regimens are first line standard of care for advanced disease, with a small proportion of patients being suitable for second line therapy, if fitness allows. Second line options include 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin, or gemcitabine with or without capecitabine. Nimotuzumab has completed a phase II single arm study investigating its effect on remission rate.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2015

URL for published report: http://www.hsric.nihr.ac.uk/topics/nimotuzumab-for-advanced-pancreatic-cancer-second-line/

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre

Contact Address: The NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, 90 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SP. United Kingdom. Tel: +44 121 414 7831, Fax: +44 121 2269

Contact Name: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: NIHR Horizon Scanning Research&Intelligence Centre (NIHR HSRIC)