[Colorectal cancers: prognostic and predictive factors of response to treatment]

For many years, 5-fluorouracil was the unique drug approved in the management of colorectal cancer. In the last decade, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, capecitabine and more recently targeted therapies as cetuximab and bevacizumab have been added to chemotherapy schedules. Prognosis and predictive factors are deeply needed to improve the management of the patients. To date, the TNM classification remains the only factor widely approved. But thanks to the progress of fundamental and translational research, it appears clearly that more clinical and molecular markers should be available soon to help the physician in the management of colorectal cancer.