How to select the optimal treatment for first line metastatic colorectal cancer.
Choice of first line treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is based on tumour and patient related factors and molecular information for determination of individual treatment aim and thus treatment intensity. Recent advances (e.g., extended RAS testing) enable tailored patient assignment to the most beneficial treatment approach. Besides fluoropyrimidines, irinotecan and oxaliplatin, a broad variety of molecular targeting agents are currently available, e.g., anti-angiogenic agents (bevacizumab) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies (cetuximab, panitumumab) for first line treatment of mCRC. Although some combinations should be avoided (e.g., oral or bolus fluoropyrimidines, oxaliplatin and EGFR antibodies), treatment options range from single agent to highly effective four-drug regimen. Preliminary data comparing EGFR antibodies and bevacizumab, both with chemotherapy, seem to favour EGFR antibodies in RAS wildtype disease. However, choosing the most appropriate treatment approach for mCRC patients remains a complex issue, with numerous open questions.
['Stein|Alexander|A|', 'Bokemeyer|Carsten|C|']
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease D006801:Humans D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy D009154:Mutation D018579:Patient Selection D010641:Phenotype D011237:Predictive Value of Tests D015398:Signal Transduction D016896:Treatment Outcome
Metastatic Colorectal cancer Epidermal growth factor receptor Induction chemotherapy