Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA, will be presenting new data from several studies of Erbitux (cetuximab) in a range of solid tumour types – including the first phase-II data in breast and prostate cancers. These data will be presented at the forthcoming 35th European Society for Medical Oncology Congress (ESMO) in Milan, October 8 to 12, 2010.

The first data from a randomized phase-II study of Erbitux in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) will be presented during the ESMO Congress. TNBC does not express receptors for estrogen, progesterone or HER2 and does thus not respond to hormone or anti-HER2 therapy. Although TNBC can be treated with chemotherapy, early relapse and metastasis are common. These new data for Erbitux are therefore particularly relevant as TNBC represents a significant threat to women with this type of cancer, for whom there are few treatment options or hopes for cure.

In addition, new data for Erbitux in prostate cancer will be presented for the first time at the ESMO Congress. Experts predict a greater than 13% rise in the number of cases of the disease diagnosed this year compared to 2009 reinforcing a clear and urgent need for effective new treatments.

In addition to this promising data for Erbitux in novel indications, Merck Serono will also present new results from key studies of Erbitux in existing treatment areas:

Latest findings from the renowned phase-III CRYSTAL study, which established the value of the KRAS biomarker in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), will be presented. The personalized therapy model has revolutionized cancer management. Merck Serono has been a driving force behind this dynamic shift in the mCRC treatment approach with its groundbreaking data from multiple Erbitux studies.

Recent developments in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) have generated a paradigm shift in treatment of this disease. Data from two key surveys will quantify the role of Erbitux in the treatment of SCCHN. Erbitux is the only proven targeted therapy and – as combination treatment – a standard of care for patients with locally advanced and 1st line recurrent metastatic SCCHN.

Erbitux is a first-in-class and highly active IgG1 monoclonal antibody targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).