Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignant diseaseand the second most frequent cause of cancer-related death inthe United States, with 145,290 new cases and 56,290 deathsanticipated in 2005.1 Worldwide, colorectal cancer is the fourthmost commonly diagnosed malignant disease, with an estimated1,023,000 new cases and 529,000 deaths each year.2
When the role of systemic treatment for colorectal cancer waslast reviewed in the Journal, in 1994,3 fluorouracil was theonly effective chemotherapeutic drug for this cancer; much excitingprogress has occurred since then. Accordingly, in this review,we will consider newer cytotoxic chemotherapies and biologic. . . [Full Text of this Article]
Staging and Other Prognostic Indicators
Fluoropyrimidines
Mechanisms of Action and Dose Scheduling of Fluorouracil
Oral Fluoropyrimidines
Adjuvant Therapy with Fluorouracil
Regional Therapy with Fluoropyrimidines
Irinotecan
Mechanisms of Action and Toxic Effects
Treatment of Metastatic Disease with Irinotecan
Oxaliplatin
Mechanisms of Action and Toxic Effects
Treatment of Metastatic Disease with Oxaliplatin
Is There an Optimal First-Line Therapy for Metastatic Disease?
Incorporation of Oxaliplatin and Irinotecan into Adjuvant Therapy
Targeted Therapies
Cetuximab
Bevacizumab
Future Directions and Challenges
Source Information
From the Department of Medical Oncology, DanaFarber Cancer Institute; the Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital; and the Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School all in Boston.
Address reprint requests to Dr. Meyerhardt at the DanaFarber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney St., Boston, MA 02115.
Related Letters:
Therapy for Colorectal Cancer
Kountouras J., Zavos C., Chatzopoulos D., Jankilevich G., Masland W. S., Etzioni S., Rosenfeld K., Meyerhardt J. A., Mayer R. J.
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N Engl J Med 2005;
352:1820-1822, Apr 28, 2005.
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