Targeted therapies in the treatment of colorectal cancer: what managed care needs to know.
OBJECTIVE
This review is designed to explore the disease, its current treatment, the expanding field of antiangiogenic treatments, and the implications of these advances for the managed care patient.


METHODS
This article is based, in part, on presentations given by the authors in a continuing education symposium presented during the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy.s 16th Annual Meeting and Showcase, April 1, 2004, in San Francisco.


CONCLUSIONS
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the United States, and the second-leading non.gender-specific cause of cancer deaths. If the cancer is caught soon enough (before node involvement and metastasis occur), there is a strong chance of survival; however, only slightly more than one third of cases are detected that soon. Emerging treatments that target only the cancer cells are increasing the length of survival for those who are diagnosed at later stages of the disease.
Schwartz
Rowena N
RN
University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, 3501 Terrace St., 1104 Salk Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. rowena@pitt.edu.
Blanke
Charles D
CD
Pesko
Larry John
LJ
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000068818:Cetuximab; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008329:Managed Care Programs; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000068818:Cetuximab