Treatment Information

Cancer Monthly > Treatment Information
Back

Rectal Cancer treatment details. Chemotherapy, Biologic therapy.

Klinikum Muenchen-Grosshadern, Muünchen, Germany.

Survival: monthsCountry:Germany
Toxiciy Grade:4City/State/Province:Muünchen
Treatments:Chemotherapy, Biologic therapyHospital:Klinikum Muenchen-Grosshadern
Drugs:Journal:Link
Date:Mar 2011

Description:

Patients:
This phase 2 study involved metastatic colorectal cancer patients who were divided into two separate treatment groups. Group A consisted of 89 patients with a median age of 63 years, 70.8% of whom were male. Group B was made up of 88 patients with a median age of 62 years and 71.6% male.

Treatment:
Patients in group A were treated with the biologic agent cetuximab (a monoclonal antibody that targets cancer cells to be killed by the immune system) and the chemotherapy agents capecitabine and irinotecan.
Patients in group B were treated with cetuximab and the chemotherapy agents capecitabine and oxaliplatin.

Toxicities:
The highest level of toxicity reported for group A was of grade 4, including diarrhea, skin rash/peeling, and neutropenia.
For group B, the highest level of toxicity reported was also of grade 4, including diarrhea, skin rash/peeling, and sensory neuropathy (nerve damage).

Results:
The median progression-free survival and median overall survival for group A was 6.2 months and 21.1 months, respectively.
The median progression-free survival and median overall survival for group B was 7.1 months and 25.5 months, respectively.

Support:
This study was supported by Merck (European distributers of cetuximab, brand name Erbitux), Roche (makers of capecitabine, brand name Xeloda), and Pfizer (makers of irinotecan, brand name Camptosar).

Correspondence: Dr. Volker Heinemann; email: [email protected]

Email Physician More Information


Back