An appraisal of emerging second line therapies for metastatic colorectal cancer.

Introduction: Despite a significant improvement in overall survival over the last 15 years, colorectal cancer remains a major public health problem worldwide. Much effort has been made to develop an optimal choice of first-line treatments, but after progression the therapeutic possibilities and the criteria for choice are different.

Areas Covered: The purpose of this literature review is to discuss the different possibilities of second-line treatment and to specify the criteria for choice.