ASCO 2008: The Evolving Role of EGFR Inhibitors in Colorectal Cancer
Jennifer Maxon

ASCO 2007: Advances in the Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Lee Schwartzberg MD, FACP, The West Clinic, Memphis, TN

Radiofrequency Ablation Effective for Lung Tumors (7/22/2008)
Researchers involved in a multicenter international trial have reported that the use of radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of lung cancer or pulmonary metastases provides an effective and safe therapeutic option for selected patients. These results were recently published in the July 7, 2008 issue of Lancet Oncology.

Higher Vitamin D Levels Result in Better Survival Among Colorectal Cancer Patients (7/17/2008)
Researchers from the Dana Farber Cancer Center have reported that patients with colorectal cancer who have higher levels of vitamin D in their blood prior to diagnosis have an improved survival compared with those with lower levels. These results were published in the June 20, 2008 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Erbitux®/Avastin® Combo Not Effective in Colorectal Cancer (7/7/2008)
Researchers affiliated with the CAIRO2 trial reported that the addition of Erbitux® (cetuximab) to Avastin® (bevacizumab), Eloxatin® (oxaliplatin), and Xeloda® (capecitabine) did not provide a clinical benefit and actually reduced progression-free survival in metastatic colorectal cancer. These findings are consistent with results from other trials indicating that the combination of agents targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGF) pathways does not provide clinical benefit. These results were recently presented as a late-breaking abstract at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago, Illinois.

Patients with KRAS Mutation Do Not Benefit from EGFR Inhibitors (6/20/2008)
Several presentations at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) reported confirmatory data that treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors such as Erbitux® (cetuximab) and Vectibix® (panitumumab) is only effective among patients with the normal KRAS gene, while those with a mutated KRAS gene demonstrate virtually no response to these agents. In essence, global consent was achieved at this year’s ASCO that all patients eligible for EGFR-targeted therapies should first undergo KRAS testing prior to initiation of therapy.

Non-invasive Test Effective for Colorectal Cancer Screening (6/9/2008)
A new, non-invasive colorectal cancer screening test from Exact Sciences is now available and supported by the American Cancer Society and other major medical groups. Study results showing the test’s efficacy have been reported in the April 2008 supplement of Gastroenterology.