Optimizing neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer with oxaliplatin

Ludmila Katherine Martin, Tanios Bekaii-Saab

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT) is standard treatment for stage II-III rectal cancer. Fluoropyrimidine-based CRT prolongs disease-free survival over adjuvant CRT and improves local control over both adjuvant CRT and neoadjuvant radiotherapy alone, but does not prolong overall survival. New approaches to neoadjuvant therapy may improve outcome in this disease. Oxaliplatin, a standard component of chemotherapy for the treatment of both resected and metastatic colon cancer, is a potent radiosensitizer with synergistic radiosensitizing activity in combination with 5-FU in preclinical studies. Early clinical trials showed promising activity with the addition oxaliplatin to 5-FU-based CRT in stage II-III rectal cancer; however, early data from phase III trials seem to be disappointing. This article reviews the existing literature and explores the potential role of oxaliplatin as part of neoadjuvant CRT for rectal cancer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)298-307
Number of pages10
JournalJNCCN Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Volume11
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Optimizing neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer with oxaliplatin'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this