Colorectal Cancer

PARIS, FRANCE-Analysisof disease-free survival data at 4 yearsinto the MOSAIC trial “amplifies thebenefit of FOLFOX4 obtained at 3

NAPLES, ITALY-As firstlinetherapy in elderly patients withmetastatic colorectal cancer, XELOX(capecitabine [Xeloda] and oxaliplatin(Eloxatin]) achieved an objectivetumor response rate of 41% (abstract

ORLANDO-XELOX (capecitabine[Xeloda] and oxaliplatin [Eloxatin])is effective and well tolerated asfirst-line treatment for elderly patients

BOLOGNA, ITALY-Preliminaryresults of a small phase II advancedcolorectal cancer trial comparinga protracted fluorouracil

HOUSTON-Concomitantboost radiotherapy plus capecitabine(Xeloda) produces pathologic responserates comparable to those of

VILLEJUIF, FRANCE-In thefirst randomized comparison of aschedule of FOLFOX6 (fluorouracil[5-FU], leucovorin, oxaliplatin [Eloxatin])vs standard XELOX (capecitab

NEW YORK-Adding bevacizumab(Avastin) to oxaliplatin [Eloxatin]/fluorouracil or to oxaliplatin/capecitabine (Xeloda) improves re

DURHAM, North Carolina-The addition of bevacizumab(Avastin) to XELOX (capecitabine[Xeloda] and oxaliplatin [Eloxatin])results in a new, highly active regimen

MADRID, SPAIN-Preliminaryresults of a phase III trial comparingcapecitabine (Xeloda) and oxaliplatin(Eloxatin)(CapeOx) with

NEW YORK-The combinationof UFT (an oral fluoropyrimidineconsisting of tegafur plus uracil) andleucovorin “is tolerable and efficacious”and “an excellent alternative to

ORLANDO-Neoadjuvantcapecitabine (Xeloda), oxaliplatin(Eloxatin), and preoperative pelvicradiotherapy (XELOX-RT) is a welltoleratedregimen in patients with locallyadvanced rectal cancer and pro

GUADALAJARA, SPAIN-Sequentialcycling of XELOX (capecitabine[Xeloda]/oxaliplatin [Eloxatin])and XELIRI (capecitabine/irinotecan

MADRID, SPAIN-Capecitabine(Xeloda) plus irinotecan (Camptosar),in a biweekly schedule as firstlinetreatment of locally advanced ormetastatic colorectal cancer, is an activeschedule with a manageable tox

BREMEN, GERMANY-CAPOXand FUFOX have comparabletoxicity profiles and efficacy in thefirst-line treatment of metastatic col

MUNICH, GERMANY-Irinotecan(Camptosar) plus fluorouracil(5-FU)/folinic acid (FOLFIRI) issignificantly better at controlling

ORLANDO-Preliminary datafrom a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trial showedthat the angiogenesis inhibitor PTK/

NEW YORK-“Bevacizumab(Avastin) appears to add to theefficacy of cetuximab (Erbitux) and

MANNHEIM, GERMANY-Complete or nearly complete responsesoccurred in 41% of patients in aphase II trial of capecitabine (Xeloda)

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA-“Capecitabine can replace continuousinfusion in regimens to treat colorectalcancer,” Scott Cole, MD, and colleaguesat the University of Alabama

ORLANDO-“Adding highdosebevacizumab (Avastin) to FOLFOX4improves overall survival, diseaseprogression-free survival (PFS),

ORLANDO-At a median follow-up of 51 months, data reported atASCO from the X-ACT phase III trial

ORLANDO-In first-line metastaticcolorectal cancer, capecitabine(Xeloda) is better tolerated than fluorouracil/leucovorin (5-FU/LV), and

ORLANDO-The additionof oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) to weekly bolusfluorouracil/leucovorin (5-FU/LV)

ORLANDO-Panitumumab,which binds to the epidermalgrowth factor receptor (EGFR), “demonstratedencouraging antitumor ac

In this issue, Dr. Saltz articulateshis opinion on a variety of questionsconcerning therapy for patientswith metastatic colorectal cancer.My commentary will reflect myopinions concerning these questions.