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Developments in combination chemotherapy for colorectal cancer
Matthew P Goetz1, Axel Grothey
1Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Department of Oncology, 200 First Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Goetz.Matthew@mayo.edu
Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy
|July 24, 2004
Summary
Recent colorectal cancer treatments, including irinotecan and oxaliplatin, have nearly doubled survival for metastatic patients. Combination therapies with biologic agents further improve outcomes in both metastatic and adjuvant settings.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical treatment of cancer
Background:
- For over 30 years, 5-fluorouracil was the primary treatment for colorectal cancer.
- Recent advancements have significantly improved survival rates for metastatic colorectal cancer patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in colorectal cancer treatment.
- To highlight the impact of new chemotherapeutic agents and biologic therapies.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical studies and treatment outcomes over the last 5 years.
- Analysis of combination chemotherapy regimens including irinotecan and oxaliplatin.
- Evaluation of biologic agents targeting angiogenesis and tumor growth pathways.
Main Results:
- Survival for metastatic colorectal cancer patients has nearly doubled with the introduction of irinotecan and oxaliplatin.
- Combination chemotherapy with biologic agents shows improved response and survival rates.
- Adjuvant oxaliplatin added to 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin has improved disease-free survival.
Conclusions:
- Newer chemotherapeutic agents and biologic therapies represent major advances in colorectal cancer treatment.
- These novel treatments are effective in both metastatic and adjuvant settings.
- Ongoing research is exploring the addition of biologic therapies to existing combination regimens.