@entity2600 , XXXX and raltitrexed for the treatment of advanced @entity14 .

@entity4181 @entity901 @entity137 @entity2600 @entity5 @entity3 @entity14 @entity1487
Out of every 17-18 individuals in the US, one develops @entity14 ( @entity14 ) in their lifetime. Of individuals diagnosed with @entity14 , > 50% present or develop @entity3 , which, if untreated, is associated with 6-9 months median survival. Although surgical resection is the primary treatment modality for @entity14 , chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for metastatic or unresectable disease. For nearly three decades, @entity1487 ( @entity1487 ) has been the chemotherapy of choice for treatment of @entity14 . However, the response rates to single @entity1487 therapy have been suboptimal with an objective @entity5 response of 10-20%. Attempts have been made to improve the efficacy of @entity1487 by either schedule alteration (protracted infusion versus intravenous push) or biochemical modulation with @entity4181 (LV). Continuous infusion induced more @entity5 regression and prolonged the time-to-disease progression with some significant impact on survival (11.3 versus 12.1 months; p < 0.04). @entity1487 /LV resulted in a significant increase in overall response rates and in the prolongation of disease-free survival in the adjuvant setting, although severe @entity137 represent a major clinical problem. The last 10 years have seen the addition of several new agents such as @entity2600 , @entity901 , raltitrexed, bevacizumab and cetuximab. The prognosis has significantly improved with the addition of these agents, with median survivals now > 20 months. This review paper focuses on @entity2600 , @entity901 and raltitrexed when used alone and in combination.
