Prof Jan Vermorken speaks about the Spectrum study, a phase III trial for patients with recurrent metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Patients received either cisplatin and 5FU or cisplatin, 5FU and the monoclonal antibody panitumumab. Although this study did not produce a significant increase in overall survival, there were significant increases in progression free survival, response rates and disease control. Prof Vermorken discusses how he hopes panitumumab will eventually be used and explains what research he is looking to do in the future.