The place of targeted agents in the treatment of elderly patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

ABSTRACT: Despite the high prevalence of colorectal cancer in a continuously aging population and the substantial advances in the treatment of metastatic disease during the past decade, the treatment of elderly patients with advanced, unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer is a clearly unmet need. Since older patients are under-represented or even excluded from randomized trials, the evidence that oncologists use as guidance is weak. However, small prospective studies, pooled analyses and observational studies show that combination approaches are safe, efficacious and feasible in the geriatric population with metastatic colorectal cancer. The use of biologic agents targeting angiogenesis and the epidermal growth factor receptor, which have been shown to clearly improve outcomes in multiple pro

SUBMITTER: Matikas A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4381267 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature