The next big trial results for Erbitux are expected next spring, when ImClone is likely to release results of a big phase-3 trial combining Erbitux with radiation in treating head and neck cancer.

FORBES: Bristol, ImClone File On Erbitux

While he was impressed with the results, Pfister says that there is an issue that may make it hard for doctors, patients and insurers to decide how to use the drug: In many cancer centers, patients whose head and neck cancers are of the same severity as those in the trial recieve not only radiation, but also chemotherapy.

FORBES: Magazine Article

According to a press release, a clinical trial involving 424 patients showed tumors were controlled better by a combination of Erbitux and radiation than radiation alone.

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