Evolving treatment of advanced colorectal cancer.
Advances in colorectal cancer treatment have led to improved outcomes for patients. A number of cytotoxic agents, alone and in combination, have shown activity. The addition of the newer, so-called "targeted" agents to standard chemotherapy drugs and regimens has also modestly improved outcomes. Progress in our knowledge and understanding of molecular pathways has led to the identification of markers critical in determining response or nonresponse to some of the targeted agents. This review discusses the available therapies in metastatic colorectal cancer and describes some of the molecular markers implicated in activity and resistance to current targeted therapies.
Cercek
Andrea
A
Gastrointestinal Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, Room H-917, New York, NY 10065, USA. cerceka@mskcc.org
Saltz
Leonard
L
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins