Maintenance for metastatic colorectal cancer – pro
There is a growing recognition that patients with metastatic colorectal cancer will obtain a complete remission, or very good partial response, should receive maintenance therapy. Although the specific therapy that is best in the setting has not been determined, the approach of targeting a specific mutation, for example the use of cetuximab, is widely accepted. The guidelines by Xu recommends maintenance strategy. although NCCN does not yet do so.
Xu RH, Shen L, Li J, et al. Expert consensus on maintenance treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer in China. Chin J Cancer. 2016;35:13. Published 2016 Jan 14. doi:10.1186/s40880-015-0067-x
Van Cutsem E, Cervantes A, Adam R, Sobrero A, Van Krieken JH, Aderka D, et al. ESMO consensus guidelines for the management of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Ann Oncol. (2016) 27:1386422.
Pfeiffer P et al, Maintenance Therapy With Cetuximab Every Second Week in the First-Line Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: The NORDIC-7.5 Study by the Nordic Colorectal Cancer Biomodulation Group.Clin Colorectal Cancer. 2015 Sep;14(3):170-6. doi: 10.1016/j.clcc.2015.03.002. Epub 2015 Mar 25