Systemic therapy of colorectal cancer - consensus based on the results of clinical trials

Abstract

Colorectal cancer represents a major health problem in Poland, accounting for over 13 000 new cases diagnosed annually. The treatment options in colorectal cancer have evolved significantly over the last decade, with several new cytotoxic and molecularly targeted agents approved for the treatment of this disease. These advances have brought a clear improvement in survival of patients. The efficacy of new cytotoxic drugs (irinotecan, oxaliplatin and oral fluoropyrimidines), both in the adjuvant and palliative settings, have been confirmed in the randomised studies. The advent of monoclonal antibodies (bevacizumab, cetuximab and panitumumab) may further broaden the scope of therapeutic methods in metastatic disease, however the clinical application of these compounds is still limited. Despite these achievements, the oncology community still awaits answers to numerous questions on the optimal use of newly developed systemic treatment options. This article reviews available options of systemic therapy with the aim of assisting clinicians in their daily practice.