A comprehensive comparative study on the characteristics of colorectal cancer chemotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
Analyses were performed to assess whether the use of chemotherapeutic agents or regimens against colorectal cancer (CRC) differed among countries, especially the United States (USA), the European Union (EU) and Japan.


METHODS
The data source for this study was the IMS Health, Oncology Analyzer. We utilized data on the use of anticancer drugs and follow-up information for patients with CRC from April 2006 to March 2007, collected from the USA, the EU (G5: France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK) and Japan. A total of 102 502 patients were enrolled.


RESULTS
Wide differences were found in the actual regimens adopted by each region and nation. In other words, the concept of oncologist-related variability in chemotherapy for CRC was clearly seen. Factors such as a nation's historical characteristics and the healthcare policies of respective governments, including drug approval and cost-effectiveness, also appeared to have roles. However, comparisons of 5-year relative survival rates from population-based cancer registries in the USA, the EU and Japan showed that survival rates for CRC in the three regions did not differ widely, despite differences in the actual use of medical therapy. This may suggest that regional usage trends for anticancer regimens were optimal, although the application of chemotherapy was not the intentional standardization.


CONCLUSIONS
Global information exchanges regarding oncologist-related factors along with global evidence could result in patient survival being prolonged by the establishment of intentional standardized treatments suited for regional characteristics.
Inoue
Yasuhiro
Y
Department of Gastrointestinal and Pediatric Surgery, Division of Reparative Medicine, Institute of Life Sciences, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan.
Toiyama
Yuji
Y
Tanaka
Koji
K
Miki
Chikao
C
Kusunoki
Masato
M
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000191:economics / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005062:European Union; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents