.gen Technologies Inc.

Disappointing results for Amgen’s Vectibix, which succeeded at reducing tumors for colon cancer patients with normal KRAS genes but failed to help them live longer. This trial was a landmark for the “personalized medicine” approach of using genetic biomarkers to identify which patients can effectively use a drug, and the trial’s failure may cast the [...]

An exciting success story for personalized medicine – Amgen demonstrates that its colon cancer treatment Vectibix works markedly better for patients without a mutated KRAS gene. Whether this drug is worth $8000 a month for you or not can be predicted by a single SNP biomarker. http://www.xconomy.com/national/2009/08/10/amgens-personalized-strategy-for-cancer-pays-off-in-big-colon-cancer-trial/