title: Molecular markers of chemotherapeutic response and toxicity in colorectal cancer.
abstract: Outcomes in colorectal cancer have improved over the last 15 years; this is in part due to the optimization of 5-fluorouracil schedules and the introduction of new and effective chemotherapeutic agents, such as irinotecan and oxaliplatin. However, not all patients respond to these agents and a proportion may suffer severe side effects from particular chemotherapy drugs. These observations have resulted in a concerted research effort to identify markers of chemotherapy efficacy and toxicity. Here we review the evidence for using molecular markers to individualize chemotherapy treatment in colorectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: University of Leeds, UK. m.braun@leeds.ac.uk
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Quirke
authors.forename: Matthew T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Seymour
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor