New drugs in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer
Harboe, K.; Todnem, K.; Zotova, L.; Lind, A.; Ogreid, D.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 120(23): 2777-2780
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 11107923 Document Number: 512450
Colorectal cancer is one of the leading cancers in industrialised countries in terms of incidence and mortality. Advanced colorectal cancer has traditionally been treated with 5-fluorouracil, alone or in combination with leucovorin. This treatment has shown response rates of 10-25%; however, little effect has been observed on survival. In recent years, a number of new drugs for advanced colorectal cancer have been developed and tested. We have made a comprehensive survey of the literature and find that phase II and phase III clinical studies show improved response rates compared to the traditional use of 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin. Thymidylate-synthase inhibitors, oxaliplatine and topoisomerase inhibitors, used singly or in combination, improve response rates and show a significant effect on survival in patients with metastatic colorectal disease. Several new drugs now available in hospital treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer show improved response and increased survival compared to traditional 5-fluorouracil regimens.