Update on targeted agents for adjuvant treatment of colon cancer in 2006.
Due to its frequency and still too high mortality rate, colorectal cancer represents a major public health problem. The use of adjuvant chemotherapy has improved the prognosis for patients with this disease. Adjuvant chemotherapy regimens derive from the most active regimens in advanced colorectal cancer therapy. Recently, two monoclonal antibodies have shown activity in patients with advanced colorectal cancer: bevacizumab, which targets vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), has shown activity as first- and second-line therapy; and cetuximab, which targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), has demonstrated activity as third-line therapy. The objective of this paper is to present the ongoing trials evaluating targeted therapies in adjuvant treatment for colon cancer. Duration of therapy, new agents, and combinations of targeted therapies are other critical issues for the future.
de Gramont
Aimery
A
Hôpital Saint-Antoine.
Larsen
Annette K
AK
Tournigand
Christophe
C
Louvet
Christophe
C
André
Thierry
T