EDRECOLOMAB (MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODY 17-1A)

Edrecolomab is a mouse-derived monoclonal IgG2a antibody. It recognise s the human tumour-associated antigen CO17-1A which is expressed on th e cell surface of a wide variety of tumours and normal epithelial tiss ue. Edrecolomab is thought to destroy tumour cells by activating an ar ray of endogenous cytotoxic mechanisms, including antibody-dependent c ell-mediated cytotoxicity and possibly antibody-dependent complement m ediated cytotoxicity. Edrecolomab may induce antitumour activity indir ectly by inducing a host anti-idiotypic antibody response. Adjuvant th erapy with edrecolomab (500mg initial dose followed by four 100mg infu sions administered at 4-weekly intervals) significantly improved survi val and reduced the tumour recurrence rate in patients with resected D ukes' stage C colorectal cancer and minimal residual disease. Data fro m several small clinical trials suggest that edrecolomab given as mono therapy or in combination with Ether antineoplastic agents has limited efficacy in the treatment of advanced colorectal or pancreatic rumour s. However, results from a small phase I study in patients with advanc ed breast cancer were more promising. Edrecolomab was generally well t olerated in clinical trials. In a postmarketing surveillance study, th e most common adverse events associated with edrecolomab were flushing /erythema and gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhoea, abdominal pain and nausea and vomiting. Because edrecolomab is of murine origin , anaphylactic reactions have developed in some patients treated with the drug.