Treatment Information

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Colon Cancer treatment details. Biologic therapy.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville TN, United States.

Survival: monthsCountry:United States
Toxiciy Grade:4City/State/Province:Nashville TN
Treatments:Biologic therapyHospital:Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Drugs:Journal:Link
Date:Dec 2005

Description:

Patients: This Phase II study involved 110 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. The patients were randomized into two groups. Group A had 55 patients (36 men, 19 women; 48 Caucasian, 3 African-American, 1 Hispanic, 1 Asian) with a median age of 60 years. Group B has 55 patients (37 men, 18 women; 48 Caucasian, 7 African-American) with a median age of 60 years. Metastatic sites included liver and lung.

Treatment: The treatment consisted of one biological therapy agent: gefitinib. Gefitinib inhibits an enzyme (tyrosine kinase).

Group A received half of the dose that Group B received.

Toxicity: Grade 1-4 toxicities included abdominal pain, neutropenia, diarrhea, fatigue, skin rash, and anorexia.

Results: The median overall survival was 6.3 months for all patients (5.2 months for Group A and 8.2 months for Group B). The authors concluded, "Gefitinib is inactive as a single agent in patients with previously treated colorectal cancer."






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