New Drugs

Sprycel for colon cancer – pro

Dasatinib, also known as Sprycel, is a cancer drug produced by Bristol-Myers Squibb and sold under the trade name Sprycel. It is a drug that is approved by the FDA for chronic myelogenous leukemia. It has an effect on the Src kinases, which interact with the EGFR receptor. One phase II trial(Nautiyal et al) showed that Dasatinib is inactive in previously treated metastatic colorectal patients patients. There is a trial that is studying this drug:

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Xeliri second line for metastatic colorectal cancer – pro

The issue that we will discuss is Xeliri (Xeloda and irinotecan) in second or later line of therapy. It is a tempting regimen because Xeldoa is an generally effective drug for colorectal cancer and it is oral.  We start by pointing out that there are now six different classes of drugs with significant antitumor activity in colon cancer: Fluoropyrimidine (5-fluorouracil [5-FU] which is usually given with leucovorin [LV], capecitabine, tegafur plus

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Afinitor for colon cancer – pro

Evidence for using Afinitor for colorectal cancer is weak - one small trial with weak results. There is some evidence from a small trial ( Altomare et al) reported in ASCO 2012 that some colorectal cancer patients whose tumors had gotten worse on all standard treatments can benefit from a combination of Afinitor® (everolimus) and Avastin® (bevacizumab). This was a small trial in 50 patients. It showed a tumor control rate of 47%. Median progression-free

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New drug: Zaltrap – pro

Zaltrap was approved by the FDA in the beginning of August 2012 for patients who fail oxaliplatin. It is also known as aflibercept, VEGF trap or, when used for macular degeneration, Eylea. It is a recombinant fusion protein between the Fc portion of human IgG1 and the extracellular domains of VEGF receptor 1 & 2 (VEGFR 1 & VEGFR 2), which binds VEGF-A and VEGF-B (vascular endothelial growth factor), as well as PLGF (placental growth factor).

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Chemo Options for Later Lines of Therapy for Metastatic Colon Cancer – pro

There are now five different classes of drugs with significant antitumor activity in colon cancer: Fluoropyrimidine (5-fluorouracil [5-FU] which is usually given with leucovorin [LV], capecitabine, tegafur plus uracil [UFT]). Irinotecan, Oxaliplatin, Cetuximab and panitumumab. The latter two are monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) directed against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and bevacizumab, is a monoclonal antibody targeting vascular

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