Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Role of Target Therapies and Future Perspectives.
Today, we are experiencing a real cultural revolution in the therapeutic approach to cancer of the colon - rectum, that by orphan disease, it is now becoming an important paradigm of scientific innovations and concepts. Survival of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (m-CRC) has been significantly improved with the introduction of the monoclonal antibodies that have as target the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in cancer is implicated in tumors escaping immune destruction. This pathway is up -regulated in many tumours. Blockade of this pathway with anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 agents has led to remarkable clinical responses in patients affected by many different types of cancer. The aim of this review is to evaluate the effects of addiction of biological agents to standard chemotherapy in the treatment of m-CRC. We can say that, among the various treatment options, the challenge of the future will be a better selection of the population, to ensure the best possible benefit from treatment with anti-VEGF drugs or anti-EGFR and a careful and customized planning of the therapeutic strategy for each patient.
Medical Oncology, Abdominal Department, National Cancer Institute G. Pascale Foundation, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
Anna
A
Nappi
Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Institute of Aviano, 33081 Aviano (PN), Italy.|Gruppo Oncologico Ricercatori Italiani, Pordenone (PN), Italy.
Massimiliano
M
Berretta
Medical Oncology, Abdominal Department, National Cancer Institute G. Pascale Foundation, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
Carmela
C
Romano
Medical Oncology, Abdominal Department, National Cancer Institute G. Pascale Foundation, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
Salvatore
S
Tafuto
Medical Oncology, Abdominal Department, National Cancer Institute G. Pascale Foundation, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
Antonino
A
Cassata
Medical Oncology, Abdominal Department, National Cancer Institute G. Pascale Foundation, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
Rossana
R
Casaretti
Medical Oncology, Abdominal Department, National Cancer Institute G. Pascale Foundation, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
Lucrezia
L
Silvestro
Medical Oncology, Abdominal Department, National Cancer Institute G. Pascale Foundation, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
Chiara De
C
Divitiis
Division of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Aviano (PN), Italy.
Lara
L
Alessandrini
Division of Radiotherapy, "Sant'Anna Hospital" Ferrara, Italy.
Francesco
F
Fiorica
Medical Oncology, Abdominal Department, National Cancer Institute G. Pascale Foundation, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
Alessandro
A
Ottaiano
Medical Oncology, Abdominal Department, National Cancer Institute G. Pascale Foundation, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
Guglielmo
G
Nasti
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000556:secondary; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D057285:Precision Medicine; D011379:Prognosis
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins
Colorectal cancer; anti-EGFR; anti-VEGF drugs; monoclonal antibodies; target therapy; treatment.