Treatment breaks in first line treatment of advanced colorectal cancer: an individual patient data meta-analysis

Controversy continues regarding the necessity of maintenance therapy in advanced (metastatic) colorectal cancer. Historically, when treatment options were limited, 5FU was continued until disease progression. The introduction of oxaliplatin, with its cumulative neurotoxicity, raised the necessity of interrupting oxaliplatin therapy after a limited exposure to avoid worsening neuropathy. The clinical benefit of continuing systemic anti-cancer therapy is a balance between improved disease control and the reassurance of ongoing therapy on one hand versus ongoing and worsening toxicity and fatigue, repeated hospital visits (including; currently increased risk of exposure to COVID19) and cost, on the other.
Source: Cancer Treatment Reviews - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: Systematic or Meta-analysis Studies Source Type: research