title: Anti-EGFR therapy in first-line colorectal cancer.
abstract: This Phase II clinical trial investigates the activity and safety of FOLFOX-cetuximab in the first-line treatment of colorectal cancer. This turns out to be an active regimen which allows a high rate of conversion and radical metastectomy. Overall response rate is concordant with those previously reported. The toxicity profile is also similar, and cutaneous toxicity severity seems to be a marker of activity. Retrospectively, the authors analyze the status of KRAS and BRAF in a subgroup of patients, only in 50%. KRAS appears mutated in 37%, and BRAF does not present as mutated in any of the remaining wild-type KRAS patients. KRAS mutation correlates with shorter overall survival and possibly time to progression. The sample is too small to find mutations in BRAF, or to convincingly establish the role of both biomarkers. These data demonstrate an active regimen that is first in line to be confirmed in larger Phase III trials.
authors: Oncology Pharmacy Unit, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario of Santiago, Choupana S/N, Santiago de Compostela, 15706, Spain. mlamasd@yahoo.es
authors: Maria J
authors: MJ
authors: Lamas
authors: Goretti
authors: G
authors: Duran
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Gallardo