A randomized phase I study of the humanized anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody EMD 72000 in subjects with advanced gastrointestinal cancers

3018 Background: Growth factor signaling through EGFR drives tumor proliferation, motility, angiogenic stimulation, and protects the cells from stress induced apoptosis. EMD 72000 is a humanized monoclonal anti-EGFR IgG1 antibody that blocks ligand binding, EGFR signaling, induces receptor downregulation, and potentially participates in antibody-dependent cell-mediated tumor cell killing. Methods: A phase I study was conducted to assess the safety and anti-tumor activity of EMD 72000 in 24 patients with advanced refractory gastrointestinal tumors. Antitumor activity was assessed using CT and 18FDG PET dual-modality tomography. Subjects were randomized in groups of 6 to receive absolute doses of 100, 200, 400, or 800 mg EMD 72000 weekly for 4 wks followed by treatment with 400 mg per wk until disease progression. EMD 72000 was administered by 1-hr IV infusion without routine premedication. CT and 18FDG PET images were obtained before treatment and in wks 4 and 8. Skin and tumor biopsies were obtained befor...