Regorafenib - an experimental drug improves survival rate of colorectal cancer patients, reveals phase III clinical trial study.
"For years, patients with metastatic colorectal cancer have faced a devastating impasse when standard chemotherapies have failed to halt the growth of tumors and physicians have run out of effective drugs to offer them," says Dr. Grothey. "This is the first novel agent in eight years to show improvement in overall survival of colon cancer patients who have run out of treatment options."
"For years, patients with metastatic colorectal cancer have faced a devastating impasse when standard chemotherapies have failed to halt the growth of tumors and physicians have run out of effective drugs to offer them," says Dr. Grothey. "This is the first novel agent in eight years to show improvement in overall survival of colon cancer patients who have run out of treatment options."
Researchers tested regorafenib in a phase III, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, conducted simultaneously in the United States, Europe, Japan, Australia and China. They looked at survival outcomes in 760 patients whose cancer had progressed despite standard chemotherapy regimens. Regorafenib is a multi-kinase inhibitor, which has the effect of slowing cell proliferation and blood vessel growth and tempering a variety of biological pathways that are activated in tumors.
The trial, whose largest group of study participants in the United States was at Mayo Clinic, finished more than a year ahead of schedule.
"Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who have failed all approved standard therapies have a poor prognosis," says Dr. Grothey. "This is the first and only agent in this setting that has demonstrated statistically significant overall survival benefit."
Source: Eurekalert
- << Bacterial Toxin Plays Key Role in Urinary Tract Infections
- Novel Surgical Procedure to Treat High Blood Pressure >>
Recommended Reading
Colorectal Cancer Screening with Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is a widely used endoscopic procedure to screen individuals for colorectal cancer. It is very sensitive in detecting colorectal cancers.
Quiz on Colon
Are you suffering from a migraine? It is possible that you have an unhealthy bowel. Strange - but true! This quiz is packed with information on the colon. Participate to learn ...
The Splendid Stomach - Animation
Stomach is the organ where food is mixed, stored and partially digested.
Colo-rectal cancer - Management
Treatment for Colorectal Cancers may involve surgery,chemotherapy, radiation therapy or biological therapy. Some people require a combination of treatments.
Colon Polyps
A colon polyp is a fleshy growth on the inside of the colon, also called the large intestine. In general, the larger a polyp, the greater the likelihood of cancer.
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men.
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colorectal screening is done using tests to detect blood in stool, colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy ordouble contrast barium enema or CT colonography.
Drug Toxicity
Drug toxicity is an adverse reaction of the body towards a drug that results as a side effect of a drug, reaction to a drug or drug abuse.
