Complete remission in a colon cancer patient with a large, irresectable liver metastasis after XELOX/cetuximab/bevacizumab treatment.
BACKGROUND
Stage IV colorectal cancer is usually an incurable disease. However, patients with resectable metastases have 5-year disease-free survival rates of up to 30%. Even with primarily irresectable disease, cure can be achieved in patients who become operable after neoadjuvant treatment. To improve the prognosis of these patients, highly effective neoadjuvant regimens need to be developed.


METHODS
Here, we report the case of a 62-year-old male patient who had been diagnosed with International Union against Cancer (UICC) stage III colon cancer 7 years previously and now presented with a large, irresectable liver metastasis and enlarged perihepatic lymph nodes. After neoadjuvant treatment with cetuximab, bevacizumab and XELOX, the patient showed a complete remission and underwent surgery. Histopathologically, the resected tissue and lymph nodes were free of residual tumor.


CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, this is the first report of a complete pathological response in a patient with irresectable colorectal cancer after intensive chemotherapy/anti-EGFR/ VEGF antibody therapy. This combination regimen may help to improve the survival rates for patients with irresectable disease.
Weihrauch
Martin R
MR
Department of Hematology and Oncology, University of Cologne, Germany. martin.weihrauch@uni-koeln.de
Stippel
Dirk
D
Fries
Jochen W U
JW
Arnold
Dirk
D
Bovenschulte
Henning
H
Coutelle
Oliver
O
Hacker
Ulrich
U
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000069287:Capecitabine; D000068818:Cetuximab; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010071:Oxaloacetates; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D010071:Oxaloacetates; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000069287:Capecitabine; D000068818:Cetuximab; D005472:Fluorouracil