title: Biological agents versus chemotherapy in the treatment of colorectal cancer.
abstract: Biological agents are commonly incorporated as an adjunct to cytotoxic chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with advanced colorectal cancer. In contrast to cytotoxic chemotherapy, biological agents have minimal single agent activity and are largely considered to be cytostatic. Recent data supports the use of either combination regimens with chemotherapy and/or biological therapy. Interest in combining biological agents of co-existing molecular pathways is the most recent strategic approach. However, with the advent of these novel therapies, questions have arisen regarding appropriate clinical indication and potential treatment-related toxicities. The role of biological agents in the treatment of colorectal cancer and their role in contrast to cytotoxic chemotherapy will be explored.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Unit 426, Houston, Texas 7703, USA. ceng@mdanderson.org
authors.forename: Cathy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eng
authors.forename: Nabeel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shalan
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069287:Capecitabine; D000068818:Cetuximab; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D000077146:Irinotecan; D010793:Phthalazines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010793:Phthalazines; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011725:Pyridines; D011799:Quinazolines; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000068258:Bevacizumab; C404768:vatalanib; D000069287:Capecitabine; D000077146:Irinotecan; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; D000068818:Cetuximab; D000077156:Gefitinib; D005472:Fluorouracil; D002166:Camptothecin