Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the leading cancers in industrialised countries in terms of incidence and mortality. Advanced colorectal cancer has traditionally been treated with 5-fluorouracil, alone or in combination with leucovorin. This treatment has shown response rates of 10-25%; however, little effect has been observed on survival.
Material, methods and results: In recent years, a number of new drugs for advanced colorectal cancer have been developed and tested. We have made a comprehensive survey of the literature and find that phase II and phase III clinical studies show improved response rates compared to the traditional use of 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin. Thymidylate-synthase inhibitors, oxaliplatine and topoisomerase inhibitors, used singly or in combination, improve response rates and show a significant effect on survival in patients with metastatic colorectal disease.
Interpretation: Several new drugs now available in hospital treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer show improved response and increased survival compared to traditional 5-fluorouracil regimens.