Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Beyond Progression

Abstract

Metastatic colorectal cancer is a major health problem, accounting for 8.1% of US cancer cases. Although 5-FU-oxaliplatin-irinotecan-based chemotherapy combination regimens and targeted therapies have increased 5-year survival rates to around 13%. The still low rate of this rate increases the demand for new treatment options. Advances in the discovery of tumor biology have made it possible to better define the subtypes and resistance mechanisms of metastatic colorectal cancer. In this regard, personalized treatment strategies are becoming increasingly important in the treatment of advanced stages of metastatic colorectal cancer. New therapeutic options, immune checkpoint inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies against various targets, and multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors are available in the treatment of later lines of metastatic colorectal cancer. The treatment strategy is based on patients’ performance status, residual toxicity, and especially molecular profile.