Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancers in the western world.  It incorporates colon cancer, which is based in the large intestine (colon), the lower part of your digestive system.  It also includes rectal cancer, which affects the last inches of the colon. Colon cancer is 2.5 times more common than rectal cancer, while rectal cancers account for fewer than 4% of all lower gastrointestinal cancers.

Current treatment of advanced colorectal cancer is based on chemotherapy regimens, such as FOLFIRI and FOLFOX, in combination with targeted antibodies, frequently as a first line treatment.  These antibodies inhibit various growth factors or receptors that are involved in the progress of the cancer disease. Currently these approaches focus on targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an angiogenic signaling protein or epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR).