Development of Chemotherapy in Colorectal Cancer / 中国癌症杂志

ABSTRACT

Chemotherapy has been one of the main treatments for colorectal cancer.5-fluorouracil combined with leucoverin has been the standard regimen of treatment in colorectal cancer since 1990,although its effectiveness is still unsatisfactory.Alteration in method of administration of the drug from injection to continuous infusion has been proved to improve its effects and reduce toxicities.Recently single oral capectiabine has been shown to be at least equivalent to one of the established adjuvant 5-FU/LV regimens in terms of both disease-free and overall survival and superior with respect to toxicity and resource utilization. Active new agents in advanced colorectal cancer have been used as neo-adjuvant treatment.Addition of oxalipilatin to 5-FU/LV showed a survival advantage compared to standard 5-Fu in stage Ⅲ colon cancer as the disease-free survival at 3 years is superior for the combined arm.This end point has been shown to be a good surrogate marker for overall survival at 5 years in adjuvant treatment programs for colon cancer.The neoadjuvant therapy combining capecitabine with radiation in the treatment of locally advanced low rectal cancer has showed a high rate of down-staging of the lesions and low local recurrence without disease progress.Chemotherapy has played a more and more important role in the multidisciplinary treatment of colorectal cancer.[