[Progress in the treatment of colorectal cancer]

The chemotherapeutic management of advanced colorectal cancer has been a challenge to oncologists for the last 30 years, with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) being used as the core drug. However, its effectiveness is far from satisfactory, and there has been no evidence of improved survival. Recently, a method of biochemical modulation was used to enhance the effect of 5-FU. In colorectal cancer patients with recurrent or metastatic sites, survival was significantly prolonged for a group receiving LV.5-FU therapy, based on biochemical modulation, compared with a group receiving no chemotherapy (best supportive care). Still more, LV.5-FU therapy was proved to be beneficial for survival when it was used as a postoperative adjuvant. In this way, the most recent chemotherapy for colorectal cancer was proved to be effective.