Treatment Information

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Rectal Cancer treatment details. Chemotherapy, Biologic therapy.

Cliniche Universitarie Convenzionate, Genoa, Italy.

Survival: monthsCountry:Italy
Toxiciy Grade:5City/State/Province:Genoa
Treatments:Chemotherapy, Biologic therapyHospital:Cliniche Universitarie Convenzionate
Drugs:Journal:Link
Date:Jul 2009

Description:

Patients:
This study involved 209 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, who had not received prior treatment. Of these, 60% were male. The median age was 62 years (range 31-82).

Treatment:
Patients in this study were administered a biologic therapy, bevacizumab (an antibody that blocks a protein involved in cancer cell growth; trade name Avastin), in combination with the chemotherapy drugs fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan.

Toxicity:
The majority of toxicities reported were of grade 1-2, including hypertention (23% of patients) and hair loss (46%). Grade 3-4 toxicities included neutropenia, venous thromboembolic events, and diarrhea. There were 5 deaths from adverse events reported in this study, the causes of which included pulmonary embolism, heart attack, and liver failure.

Results:
The median overall survival was 22.2 months. Median progression-free survival was reported as 11.1 months.

Correspondence: Dr. Alberto Sobrero



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