The addition of panitumumab to standard colorectal cancer chemotherapy (oxaliplatin, leucovorin 5-and fluorouracil [5-FU]) leads to an increased survival of three months in some patients but can be detrimental to those who have a KRAS gene mutation.

Prof. Siena explains the side effects associated with this treatment but patients should be reassured that the side effects are only seen in patients who are seeing an improvement thanks to the treatment.