title: Immunotherapy for the treatment of colorectal tumors: focus on approved and in-clinical-trial monoclonal antibodies.
abstract: Colorectal cancer is considered a disease of the elderly population. Since the number of geriatric patients continues to rise, monoclonal antibody therapy is the most promising therapy in the recent research. Presently, the monoclonal antibodies most frequently used in the treatment of colorectal tumors are bevacizumab, cetuximab, panitumumab, and ramucirumab. Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody that acts on VEGF. Cetuximab and panitumumab act on EGFR. Ramucirumab binds directly to the ligand-binding pocket of VEGFR-2 to block the binding of VEGF-A, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D. These monoclonal antibodies, alone or in association with radiotherapy or chemotherapy, are presenting good results and are increasing patient survival, despite the side effects. Due to the limited number of molecules available, several studies are trying to develop new monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of colorectal tumors. Among those being studied, some recent molecules are in phase I and/or II trials and are yielding advantageous results, such as anti-DR5, anti-Fn14, anti-IGF-1R, anti-EGFR, anti-NRP1, and anti-A33 antibodies. This has been successful in reducing side effects and in treating nonresponsive patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Americana, Americana.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Françoso
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Americana, Americana; Department of Genetics, Evolution and Bioagents, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Patricia Ucelli
authors.initials: PU
authors.lastname: Simioni
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D066246:ErbB Receptors
keywords: bevacizumab; cetuximab; colorectal tumor; monoclonal antibodies; panitumumab; ramucirumab