Treatment Strategies for Colorectal Cancer
Leonard B. Saltz, MD - Professor of Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, Attending Physician and Member, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Targeted Therapies in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancers
Todd Alekshun, MD, Chris Garrett, MD

Age and Illness Increase Colonoscopy Risks (6/22/2009)
Researchers from the National Cancer Institute and the University of North Carolina have reported that the risk of complications from colonoscopy is increased in the very elderly and in those with certain chronic health conditions. The results of this study were published in the June 16, 2009 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Preemptive Skin Treatment Reduces Skin Toxicity Associated with Vectibix® in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (6/10/2009)
Researchers affiliated with a U.S. multicenter trial have reported that skin treatment that is initiated prior to the start of treatment with Vectibix® (panitumumab) reduces the incidence and severity of skin toxicity and improves quality of life in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. The details of this study were presented at the 2009 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Orlando, Florida, on June 1.

Surgery Unnecessary for Most Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (6/4/2009)
Researchers from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have reported that patients with newly diagnosed metastatic colorectal cancer do not need to undergo surgical removal of their tumor unless the tumor is causing complications. The details of this study were presented at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Orlando, Florida, on March 31.

Coffee Does Not Decrease Risk of Colorectal Cancer (5/5/2009)
Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health have reported that, contrary to the results of several previous studies, coffee consumption does not appear to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. The details of this study were reported in the April 1, 2009 issue of the International Journal of Cancer.

Neoadjuvant Xeloda®, Eloxatin®, and Radiotherapy Highly Effective for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer (5/4/2009)
Researchers from Italy have reported that neoadjuvant Xeloda® (capecitabine), Eloxatin® (oxaliplatin), and radiotherapy results in a high rate of complete and near complete responses in patients with Stage II-III rectal cancer. The details of this study appeared in the May 1, 2009 issue of Annals of Oncology.