Review

Medical Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, MD, USA

The Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Podium B, 3800 Reservoir Road, NW, WA 20007, USA

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John L Marshall

The Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Podium B, 3800 Reservoir Road, NW, WA 20007, USA

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Michael J Pishvaian

* Author for correspondence

The Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Podium B, 3800 Reservoir Road, NW, WA 20007, USA.

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Email the corresponding author at pishvaim@georgetown.edu

Published Online:17 Nov 2012https://doi.org/10.2217/crc.12.52

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Abstract

SUMMARY Great strides have been made in improving the outcome of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and targeted agents are an important part of the treatment arsenal. The approved monoclonal antibodies, bevacizumab, cetuximab and panitumumab, are part of the standard of care, yet only recently have we begun to define which patients benefit from these therapies using predictive tumor biomarkers. More recently, novel agents including aflibercept and regorafenib have had promising results and may become approved therapies. In addition, agents targeting the mTOR pathway and the TNF pathway have demonstrated early evidence of benefit. In the coming years, we may experience an influx of new therapies, possibly leading to further prolongation of patient survival or even, for some, a cure.

Papers of special note have been highlighted as: ▪ of interest ▪▪ of considerable interest

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Published online 17 November 2012

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Katya Selinevich for providing the illustrations.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

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Future of targeted agents in metastatic colorectal cancer

Abstract

References