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Evolving Treatment of Advanced Colorectal Cancer

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Abstract

Advances in colorectal cancer treatment have led to improved outcomes for patients. A number of cytotoxic agents, alone and in combination, have shown activity. The addition of the newer, so-called “targeted” agents to standard chemotherapy drugs and regimens has also modestly improved outcomes. Progress in our knowledge and understanding of molecular pathways has led to the identification of markers critical in determining response or nonresponse to some of the targeted agents. This review discusses the available therapies in metastatic colorectal cancer and describes some of the molecular markers implicated in activity and resistance to current targeted therapies.

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Disclosure

Dr. Saltz has been a consultant to Roche, Genentech, Chugai, Imclone, Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Merck, Novartis, Delcath, YM Bioscience, Biothera, and Alchemia; and has received research support from Roche, Genentech, Imclone, Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Merck, Amgen, and Synta. No other potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported.

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  1. Gastrointestinal Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, Room H-917, New York, NY, 10065, USA

    Andrea Cercek & Leonard Saltz

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  1. Andrea Cercek
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  2. Leonard Saltz
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Correspondence to Andrea Cercek.

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Cercek, A., Saltz, L. Evolving Treatment of Advanced Colorectal Cancer. Curr Oncol Rep 12, 153–159 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-010-0096-1

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