Regional and systemic approaches for advanced colorectal cancer

Abstract

Researchers are considering both regional and systemic approaches to treating patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Encouraging results have been reported in patients with liver metastases following the administration of antineoplastic chemotherapeutic drugs by hepatic artery infusion. Other regional techniques such as chemo-embolisation and intralesional delivery of chemotherapeutic agents, are also being investigated. With respect to systemic therapy, researchers have gained further insight into the mechanisms of tumour resistance to chemo-therapeutic agents and the role of thymidylate synthase in these processes. These data were presented during an Educational Symposium, entitled‘Regional and Systemic Therapies for Advanced Colorectal Carcinoma’at the 31st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology [Los Angeles, US; May 1995]. Dr Al Benson, the chairman of this session, provides a synopsis of his own presentation and an overview of the key points presented by Dr Margaret Kemeny from North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, US, and by Dr Jean Grem from the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, US.