title: The developing trend of monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of colorectal cancer.
abstract: Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against growth factors, receptors and tumor-specific/tumor-selective antigens represent a rapidly growing class of pharmaceutical agents which are poised to make a major impact on the treatment of colorectal cancer. mAbs targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor and the vascular endothelial growth factor have already been approved for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Other antibodies to the same and other molecular targets implicated in tumor growth and metastasis are undergoing intense preclinical and clinical evaluation. In both the neoadjuvant and adjuvant clinical settings, although mAbs are typically administered in combination with established cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens given their synergistic effect, several agents have demonstrated efficacy when given as monotherapy. At the same time, combination therapies with multiple targeted biological agents are actively being investigated. Existing clinical data and recent progress in preclinical and clinical studies of mAbs are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Medical Oncology, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
authors.forename: Aymen A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Elfiky
authors.forename: Muhammad W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Saif
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D000071858:Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000639:trends; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; C499379:EPCAM protein, human; D000071858:Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D066246:ErbB Receptors