Aberrant P53 expression lacks prognostic or predictive significance in colorectal cancer: results from the VICTOR trial.

Aim: Biomarkers with prognostic and predictive value can help stratify patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) into appropriate treatment groups. We sought to evaluate the clinical utility of P53 protein expression as a biomarker in VICTOR, a large phase III trial of rofecoxib in stage II and III CRC.

Patients And Methods: Tissue micro arrays were constructed from 884 tumors and the expression of P53 was examined by immunohistochemistry.

Evaluation of PIK3CA mutation as a predictor of benefit from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy in colorectal cancer.

Purpose: Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) protect against colorectal cancer (CRC) and are associated with reduced disease recurrence and improved outcome after primary treatment. However, toxicities of NSAIDs have limited their use as antineoplastic therapy. Recent data have suggested that the benefit of aspirin after CRC diagnosis is limited to patients with PIK3CA-mutant cancers.

Phase III randomized trial assessing rofecoxib in the adjuvant setting of colorectal cancer: final results of the VICTOR trial.

Purpose: Laboratory and case-control studies suggest a pivotal role for the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) pathway in colorectal carcinogenesis. The purpose of this study was to test whether the COX-2 inhibitor rofecoxib could reduce recurrence and improve survival when administered in the adjuvant setting of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Patients And Methods: Patients who had undergone potentially curative surgery and completion of adjuvant therapy for stage II and III CRC were randomly assigned to receive rofecoxib (20 mg daily) or placebo.

Evolution of nonsurgical therapy for colorectal cancer.

The management of colorectal cancer (CRC) has changed considerably in the past 15 years with the introduction of multiple novel active therapeutic agents. Chemotherapy regimens combining a fluoropyrimidine with either oxaliplatin or irinotecan are standard first-line and second-line therapy for advanced and metastatic disease. The first-line use of these combinations produces tumor response rates of approximately 50% and a median overall survival of approximately 20 months.

Modified Irinotecan/5FU/Leucovorin therapy in advanced colorectal cancer and predicting therapeutic efficacy by expression of tumor-related enzymes.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a regimen using Irinotecan, 5FU and Leucovorin for patients with advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer.

Material And Methods: Irinotecan (75 mg/m(2)) was administered biweekly, while 5FU (600 mg/m(2)) and Leucovorin (250 mg/m(2)) were administered weekly, for 6 weeks.

Results: The 21 consecutive patients subjected to this regimen showed a good response rate (43%) with minimal toxicity (incidence of grade 3/4: leukopenia and neutropenia, 5%, respectively, and vomiting, 10%).