Copyright © 2008. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. All rights reserved. 1079-2082/04/0602-1242$06.00 Current and emerging therapies for metastatic colorectal cancer: Applying research findings to clinical practiceJ. RANDOLPH HECHT, M.D., is Professor of Clinical Medicine and Director, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Gastrointestinal Oncology Program, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 10945 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA (jrhecht{at}mednet.ucla.edu).
Summary. Modern chemotherapy regimens for first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer contain fluorouracil, leucovorin, either oxaliplatin or irinotecan, and the VEGF inhibitor bevacizumab. The EGFR inhibitors cetuximab and panitumumab currently are reserved for second- or third-line therapy, but their role could change as the results of clinical research become available. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway, src kinases, and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor are among the targets of current research. Identifying the subset of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who stand to benefit from a particular therapy presents a challenge in conducting clinical research.
Conclusion. Modern chemotherapeutic and monoclonal antibody regimens have improved survival in patients with meta-static colorectal cancer. The optimal combinations, timing, and sequence of agents remain to be determined.
Index terms: Antibodies; Antineoplastic agents; Bevacizumab; Cetuximab; Colorectal neoplasms; Combined therapy; Fluorouracil; Irinotecan; Leucovorin; Neoplasms metastasis; Oxaliplatin; Panitumumab; Site of action
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