Colorectal cancer in Chinese patients: current and emerging treatment options

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in Hong Kong and its incidence is rising in economically developed Chinese cities, including Hong Kong and Shanghai. Several studies conducted in the People's Republic of China have characterized the unique molecular epidemiology of familial colorectal cancer syndromes and molecular biomarkers such as microsatellite instability and genetic mutations (eg, KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA, ERCC1) in Chinese populations. Interethnic differences in anticancer drug response and toxicity have been well described in many cancers, and this review examined the literature with regard to the tolerance of Chinese patients to commonly used chemotherapeutic regimens and targeted therapies for metastatic colorectal cancer. Studies on the pharmacogenomic differences in drug metabolizing and DNA repair enzymes between Chinese, North Asians, and Caucasian patients were also reviewed.