New approaches in systemic treatment of advanced colorectal cancer: the molecular targets era

Abstract

The prognosis of advanced colorectal cancer remains poor in spite of the advances obtained in recent years with new therapeutic agents, new approaches in surgical procedures and new diagnostic methods. New treatments directed to molecular targets have emerged and are being developed to improve these results, but there is a need to optimize and define the best use of these new approaches. In this review, the authors examine the most important trials with monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer.

Keywords::

• colorectal cancer
• targeted therapy
• EGF receptor
• monoclonal antibodies
• tyrosine kinase inhibitors
• VEGF

Disclosure

The authors indicated no potential conflict of interest and no financial interests relating to the manuscript.