[Chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy of metastatic colorectal cancer : What is new?]

Abstract

In recent years the treatment options for metastatic colorectal cancer have significantly improved. This progress has particularly benefited specific subgroups of patients identified by certain biomarkers, such as those with a microsatellite instability, patients with B‑Raf (BRAF) V600E mutation, Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) G12C mutation or v‑erb-b2 erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 2 (ERBB2) amplification. Additionally, targeted anti-epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor therapy can be more effectively utilized through further patient selection. For patients who no longer respond to treatment, the new standard trifluridine/tipiracil in combination with bevacizumab has become established as the new third-line option. Furthermore, the selectively anti-angiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitor fruquintinib has recently been approved as a last-line treatment. This article provides an overview of current standards and future developments in therapy.