New Global Initiative Aims to Improve Patient Outcomes in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

PR56341

DARMSTADT, Germany, March 31 / PRN=KYODO JBN / -

    - The multidisciplinary Oncology Partnership and Education Network (OPEN)

aims to improve patient outcomes in oncology, with initial focus on metastatic

colorectal cancer (mCRC)

    - OPEN aims to raise public awareness and understanding of the importance

of biomarker testing in mCRC

    Merck Serono, the biopharmaceutical division of Merck, today announced the

formation of the global Oncology Partnership and Education Network (OPEN). This

global initiative, supported by Merck Serono, brings together a

multidisciplinary group of stakeholders involved with the management of cancer

to help improve patient care. Focusing on metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC)

as its first priority, OPEN aims to reinforce the important role biomarker

testing has in personalizing care in mCRC. The launch of OPEN coincides with

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in many countries.

    To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

    http://www.multivu.com/mnr/7140053-merck-serono-metastatic-colorectal-cancer

    Based on recent scientific developments in the area of biomarkers in mCRC,

OPEN's first priority will be to establish a global campaign to improve

awareness and understanding with the general public, patients and healthcare

professionals. OPEN, chaired by Professor Ciardiello, is supported by an

international steering committee of experts in the field of oncology, including

healthcare professionals, patient advocacy groups and policy representatives.

    "Biomarkers enable oncologists to create personalized, clinically proven

treatment plans for patients right from the start in mCRC, thereby optimizing

patients' chances of extended overall survival," said Professor Fortunato

Ciardiello, Seconda Universita di Napoli, Naples, Italy and Chair of the OPEN

Steering Committee. "OPEN aims to increase public awareness of the fact that

getting a biomarker test done, ideally at the time of initial diagnosis, is

vital for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer to ensure they receive the

most appropriate 1st-line treatment," he concluded.

    Currently, 25% of patients with colorectal cancer already have an advanced

stage of the disease at diagnosis, which makes it challenging to treat

successfully.[1],[2] Recent developments in the field of biomarkers now allow

physicians to identify those patients who are most likely to benefit from

specific treatment options, based on the genetic profile of their tumor.

    "Biomarkers are reliable clinical indicators that support physicians in

their treatment decisions for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer," said

Dr Steven Hildemann, Global Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Medical

and Safety for Merck Serono. "Merck Serono is proud to be able to support OPEN

in its mission to raise awareness globally of the important role biomarkers

play in improving clinical outcomes for people living with mCRC."

    An increased understanding of treatment options and greater involvement in

decision making about their own care, together with equality of access to

treatments that improve outcomes, are also core principles of the recently

launched European Cancer Patient's Bill of Rights.

    About Colorectal Cancer

    Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer worldwide, with an

estimated incidence of more than 1.36 million new cases annually.[3]

Approximately 694,000 deaths from CRC occur every year, accounting for 8.5% of

all cancer deaths and making it the fourth most common cause of death from

cancer.[3] Almost 55% of CRC cases are diagnosed in developed regions of the

world, and incidence and mortality rates are substantially higher in men than

in women.[3]

    Note to Editors:

    Please click here [http://www.merckgroup.com/en/media/topics/open.html ] to

view the multimedia release which includes mCRC biomarker videos and additional

information.

    Additional information resources for media on mCRC are available online

from: http://www.globalcancernews.com

    References

    1) Sanoff HK, et al. J Clin Oncol 2008;26(35):5721-7.

    2) Van Cutsem E, et al. Ann Oncol 2010;21(Suppl 5):v93-7.

    3) Ferlay J, Soerjomataram I, Ervik M, Dikshit R, Eser S, Mathers C, Rebelo

M,

      Parkin DM, Forman D, Bray, F. GLOBOCAN 2012 v1.0, Cancer Incidence and

Mortality

      Worldwide: IARC CancerBase No. 11 [Internet]. Lyon, France: International

Agency for

      Research on Cancer; 2013. Available at: http://globocan.iarc.fr. Last

accessed

      March 2014.

    About Merck Serono

    Merck Serono is the biopharmaceutical division of Merck. With headquarters

in Darmstadt, Germany, Merck Serono offers leading brands in 150 countries to

help patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis, infertility, endocrine and

metabolic disorders as well as cardiovascular diseases. In the United States

and Canada, EMD Serono operates as a separately incorporated subsidiary of

Merck Serono.

    Merck Serono discovers, develops, manufactures and markets prescription

medicines of both chemical and biological origin in specialist indications. We

have an enduring commitment to deliver novel therapies in our core focus areas

of neurology, oncology, immuno-oncology and immunology.

    For more information, please visit http://www.merckserono.com.

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    Merck is a leading company for innovative and top-quality high-tech

products in the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors. With its four divisions

Merck Serono, Consumer Health, Performance Materials and Merck Millipore, Merck

generated total revenues of EUR 11.1 billion in 2013. Around 38,000 Merck

employees work in 66 countries to improve the quality of life for patients, to

further the success of our customers and to help meet global challenges.

    Merck is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company - since

1668, the company has stood for innovation, business success and responsible

entrepreneurship. Holding an approximately 70% interest, the founding family

remains the majority owner of the company to this day.

    Merck, Darmstadt, Germany is holding the global rights to the Merck name

and brand. The only exceptions are Canada and the United States, where the

company is known as EMD.

    Contact:

    Merck KGaA

    Frankfurter Strasse 250

    64293 Darmstadt

    Germany

    Hotline +49(0)6151-72-5000

    http://www.merckgroup.com

    Merck Serono is a division of Merck

    http://www.merckserono.com

    Raphaela Farrenkopf

    Phone +49-6151-72-2274

    http://www.multivu.com/mnr/7140053-merck-serono-metastatic-colorectal-cancer

    SOURCE: Merck Serono