Necitumumab

Necitumumab is a fully human IgG1 monoclonal antibody designed to block the ligand binding site of the human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is a target in several anti-cancer treatments because it sparks cancer progression, both by promoting angiogenesis, or the formation of new blood vessels for tumors, and by inhibiting apoptosis, or cell death. Recently approved therapies for non-squamous NSCLC, including afatinib and erlotinib, target specific EGFR mutations, but those drugs are used to treat patients with nonsquamous histology.Lilly did not provide specific data regarding the results of the trial, but the company announced that it plans to present that data at a scientific meeting next year, and to request a review of the drug by regulatory authorities before the end of 2014.

Necitumumabis one of three monoclonal antibodies in Phase III
development that targets EGFR, the target of the approved antibodies
cetuximab and panitumumab. However, necitumumab is a fully human
IgG1 antibody, distinguishing it from both the approved agents.
Necitumumab is directed against the ligand binding site of EGFR and is
being co-developed by Eli Lilly and Bristol-Myers Squibb in the United
States, Canada, and Japan, while Eli Lilly alone is developing it for other
markets. Necitumumabfirst entered clinical development in 2004 and
is now in Phase III development for the treatment of non–small-cell
lung cancer and Phase II for the treatment of colorectal cancer. The
primary indication chosen further distinguishes necitumumabfrom both
cetuximab and panitumumab, but it is an indication for which EGFR
kinase inhibitors such as erlotinib are approved.
In December 2009, Eli Lilly stressed the long half-life of necitumumab
(7–10 days, which permits dosing at 2–3 week intervals) and its potential
both for reduced hypersensitivity reactions (i.e., better tolerability) and
for induced host-mediated anticancer activity. In addition, it highlighted
that necitumumabdisplays similar or superior activity to cetuximab
in anticancer models. Preliminary data were presented from the Phase
II study in colorectal cancer showing antitumor activity in 73% of 44
patients treated with necitumumabplus FOLFOX.
Both Phase III studies in non–small-cell lung cancer are in stage IV
disease and in groups of 947 patients treated with necitumumabplus
cisplatin and a second agent. The INSPIRE study in non-squamous
disease began in November 2009 and uses pemetrexed as the second
drug, while the SQUIRE study commenced in January 2010 in
squamous disease and uses gemcitabine. Both studies have primary
completion dates in late 2011 and study completion dates of mid-2012,
which points to BLA submission in 2013.

A Phase I study in patients with solid tumors suggested that skin
toxicity was the dose-limiting toxicity and suggested that 800 mg of
necitumumab (at weekly or fortnightly intervals) be the maximum dose
(Kuenen et al. 2010).16 This dose was employed in the initial colorectal
cancer study, at 14-day intervals, which revealed a 60% partial response
(Taberno et al. 2008).17
The development strategy for necitumumab appears to have been
designed to establish it initially in a major indication where it will not
be competing with established antibody products, while seeking
to exploit the reported advantages over cetuximab appears to be
a secondary priority. While the reported Phase II data are very
encouraging, it will be some time before a better assessment of the
commercial prospects of necitumumab can be made. However, it does
appear to have significant potential.

Necitumumab (proposed INN) is a monoclonal antibody and an antineoplastic. It binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR).^[1] As of October 2009, two Phase III clinical trials are planned to investigate its effects on non-small cell lung carcinoma.^[2][3]

1.  International Nonproprietary Names for Pharmaceutical Substances (INN, prepublication copy), World Health Organization.
2.  ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00981058 Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Treatment With the Inhibitor of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) (SQUIRE)
3.  ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00982111 NonSquamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment With the Inhibitor of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (INSPIRE)

Possible Efficacy Of Lilly’s Necitumumab (IMC-11F8) In Lung Cancer Subset

18.4 2013

Eli Lilly announced yesterday their very preliminary and non-quantitative conclusions on the SQUIRE study, a 1093-patient Phase III trial of their anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody, necitumumab (IMC-11F8), against Stage IV squamous, non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidkroll/2013/08/14/possible-efficacy-of-necitumumab-imc-11f8-in-squamous-nsclc-lung-cancer-subset/