panitumumab at a glance
Medicine class
EGFR-blocking monoclonal antibody
Main use
Wild-type RAS metastatic colorectal cancer in adults
Administration
Intravenous infusion by a specialist cancer team
Important monitoring
Skin, eyes, breathing, diarrhoea and blood electrolyte levels
What is panitumumab used for?
UK licensing covers adults with wild-type RAS metastatic colorectal cancer in these settings:
With FOLFOX or FOLFIRI as first-line treatment.
With FOLFIRI as second-line treatment after previous fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy that did not include irinotecan.
Used alone after fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-containing treatments have failed.
How does panitumumab work?
Panitumumab binds to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on cells. This blocks growth signals and can reduce the growth and survival of susceptible cancer cells. Confirmed wild-type RAS status is required because activating RAS mutations can continue signalling downstream of EGFR.
panitumumab preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 20 mg/mL
How to take panitumumab
Panitumumab is not taken by mouth. A healthcare professional dilutes the concentrate and gives it into a vein using an infusion pump and an in-line filter. Do not try to store, prepare or administer it yourself.
Tell the team immediately about itching, flushing, swelling, dizziness or breathing difficulty during the infusion.
Tell the team about worsening skin, bowel, eye or breathing symptoms between appointments.
Limit sun exposure and use protective clothing, a hat and sunscreen because sunlight can aggravate skin reactions.
panitumumab side effects
Common or expected effects
- Acne-like rash, itching, redness or dry skin
- Nail-fold inflammation or nail problems
- Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, constipation or abdominal pain
- Sore mouth
- Tiredness, fever or reduced appetite
- Low magnesium, potassium or calcium levels
- Cough, breathlessness or eye irritation
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe or delayed allergic or infusion reaction
- Severe diarrhoea with dehydration or kidney injury
- Worsening, infected, blistering or peeling skin
- Severe soft-tissue infection, including necrotising fasciitis or sepsis
- New or worsening lung inflammation
- Keratitis or corneal ulceration causing eye pain, redness, light sensitivity or visual change
- Blood clot symptoms such as sudden breathlessness, chest pain or a swollen painful limb
panitumumab in pregnancy
Panitumumab may harm a developing baby, and human pregnancy data are inadequate. People who could become pregnant should use effective contraception during treatment and for two months after the final administration. Tell the cancer team immediately about an actual or planned pregnancy.
panitumumab while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether panitumumab enters human milk or could harm a breastfed child. Do not breastfeed during treatment or for two months after the final administration; discuss feeding plans with the specialist team.
panitumumab interactions
The cancer team should review all current medicines and planned anticancer combinations.
Bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy
Do not combine with panitumumab because increased toxicity and deaths were observed.
IFL chemotherapy
Avoid the combination because it produced a high incidence of severe diarrhoea.
Oxaliplatin-containing chemotherapy
The combination is contraindicated when the tumour has mutant RAS or its RAS status is unknown.
Common questions about panitumumab
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is panitumumab chemotherapy?
No. It is a targeted monoclonal antibody that blocks EGFR, although it is often used alongside chemotherapy.
Why is a RAS test needed?
Panitumumab is licensed for wild-type RAS metastatic colorectal cancer. RAS mutations can keep growth signalling active despite EGFR blockade.
How is it given?
It is diluted and given into a vein using an infusion pump in a specialist healthcare facility.
Can sunlight worsen a rash?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.