Tomáš Šálek
The introduction of irinotecan, oxaliplatin, oral fluoropyrimidines and raltitrexed has broadened the treatment options available for patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Monoclonal antibodies have been developed to target specific proteins involved in the development and progression of cancer. The impact of monoclonal antibody therapy has recently been demonstrated in colorectal cancer, in which two pathways critical to carcinogenesis have been targeted. The targets are the epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway and angiogenesis. Antibodies directed to proteins in both pathways have shown significant activity especially in combination with chemotherapy The results of the MOSAIC trial demonstrated the benefit of adding oxaliplatin to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (FOLFOX) in adjuvant therapy for stage III disease.