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EGFR-Targeted Therapies in Colorectal Cancer

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  • W. Donald Buie, M.D., Editor
  • Published:
Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

The management of colorectal cancer relies heavily on the combination of the pyrimidine analog antimetabolite 5-fluorouracil with the platinum-based drug oxaliplatin or the topoisomerase inhibitor irinotecan. Optimization of dosing and scheduling of these agents to improve response and survival continues to evolve. Meanwhile, the rational targeting of molecular signaling pathways that are involved in the etiology of malignancies is currently one of the most promising strategies in novel anticancer drug development. New classes of drugs that target the epidermal growth factor receptor are among the most clinically advanced molecular-targeted therapies and have shown efficacy in colorectal cancer. The current status of epidermal growth factor receptor-targeted therapeutic agents is reviewed, with emphasis on their role in the management of colorectal cancer.

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  1. Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

    Michael J. Overman M.D.

  2. Centro Oncologico de Hospital Sirio-Libanes, San Paulo, Brazil

    Paulo M. Hoff M.D., F.A.C.P.

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Overman, M.J., Hoff, P.M. EGFR-Targeted Therapies in Colorectal Cancer. Dis Colon Rectum 50, 1259–1270 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10350-007-0228-3

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