The role of primary tumour sidedness, EGFR gene copy number and EGFR promoter methylation in RAS/BRAF wild-type colorectal cancer patients receiving irinotecan/cetuximab.

Background: The data from randomised trials suggested that primary tumour sidedness could represent a prognostic and predictive factor in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, particularly during treatment with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapy. However, an in-deep molecular selection might overcome the predictive role of primary tumour location in this setting.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis in which tumour samples from RAS/BRAF wild-type (WT) metastatic CRC patients treated with second-third-line irinotecan/cetuximab were analysed for EGFR gene copy number (GCN) and promoter methylation.

Aflibercept, a New Way to Target Angiogenesis in the Second Line Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC).

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading tumour worldwide, and the median survival of metastatic patients with the latest therapeutic options today reaches 30 months. Therefore, it is important to plan a therapeutic strategy, able to optimize the use of the available drugs (fluoropyrimides, oxaliplatin, irinotecan and target biologic therapy), with the objective of maximizing the long-term efficacy, reducing toxicities and assuring better quality of life for the patients with mCRC. Among the most recently available drugs for the treatment of mCRC, aflibercept, a new antiangiogenetic agent, should be considered a promising therapeutical option for the second line setting.