title: Systemic and targeted therapy for advanced colon cancer.
abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy and the second most common cause of cancer-related death in the USA. Prognosis is best when the disease is detected early; however, nearly two-thirds of newly diagnosed cases of CRC have lymph node involvement or metastatic disease. For years, 5-fluorouracil (FU)-based regimens represented the only viable treatment option for patients with metastatic CRC. However, in recent years several newer agents have been added to the treatment arsenal for this disease. These agents include oxaliplatin, irinotecan and newer monoclonal antibodies targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (cetuximab and panitumumab) and VEGF (bevacizumab). This review aims to discuss current systemic and targeted therapies for metastatic colon cancer with a focus on mechanism of action, indications, toxicity and efficacy.
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, 650 Clinical Research Building, 415 Curie Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Sanjay R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Hegde
authors.forename: Weijing
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Lynch
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents