Therapies colorectal cancer

The clinical trial that resulted in FDA approval of bevacizumab (February 2004) was a randomized, double-blind, phase III study in which bevacizumab was administered in combination with bolus-IFL (irinotecan, 5FU, leucovorin) chemotherapy as first-line therapy for previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer [3]. Median survival was increased from 15.6 months in the bolus-IFL + placebo arm to 20.3 months in the bolus-IFL + bevacizumab arm. 

Cetuximab is a human/mouse antibody that binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor to block its stimulation. The pharmacokinetics of cetuximab demonstrate a volume of distribution that approximates the vascular space and a terminal half-life of 70 to 100 hours. Cetuximab has shown clinical activity in the treatment of colorectal cancer. An acnelike rash may appear on the face and upper torso 1 to 3 weeks after the start of therapy. Other side effects include hypersensitivity reactions, interstitial lung disease, fever, malaise, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea and vomiting. 

Fluorouracil-based chemotherapy is the standard of care for the adjuvant treatment of colorectal cancer either as a single agent or, more commonly, in combination with other agents. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) alone results in a small improvement in survival that can vary based on the method of 5-FU administration. Studies suggest that protracted or continuous intravenous (IV) 5-FU infusion treatment schedules are more effective than bolus therapy.20... 

Kelly H, Goldberg RM. Systemic therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer Current options, current evidence. J Clin Oncol 2005 10 4553-4560. 

Meyerhardt JA, Mayer RJ. Systemic therapy for colorectal cancer. New Engl J Med 2005 352 476-487. 

FDA approves irinotecan as first-line therapy for colorectal cancer. Oncology (Williston Park). 2000 May 14(5) 652, 4. 

An important demonstration of the efficacy of a MAb in minimal residual disease was achieved usiug MAb 17-lA (directed against the EGP-2 or EpCAM antigen as described previously) in patients with stage III colorectal cancer. Following surgical resection, MAb therapy reduced the overall death rate by 32% and the rate of recurrence by 23% [122]. 

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