Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs, either alone or in combination, to treat colorectal cancer. These drugs work by damaging DNA and preventing cancer cells from dividing and reproducing. One of the most commonly used chemotherapies for colorectal cancer is fluorouracil, also called 5-FU. 5-FU is often given with other drugs like oxaliplatin or irinotecan. The goal of chemotherapy is to kill cancer cells throughout the body. It works best for colon cancers that have spread but also helps some patients with earlier-stage disease. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, low blood cell counts, and mouth sores.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted Colorectal Cancer Therapeutics work by targeting specific vulnerabilities within cancer cells. Some targeted therapies block specific proteins or genes involved in cancer cell growth and survival. For example, drugs called anti-EGFR agents like cetuximab (Erbitux) and panitumumab (Vectibix) specifically target the EGFR protein, which is overexpressed in many colorectal cancers. These drugs are approved for use in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer alongside chemotherapy. Other targeted therapies approved for specific groups of colorectal cancer patients include regorafenib (Stivarga) and aflibercept (Zaltrap). Targeted therapies often have less severe side effects than standard chemotherapy but do not work for all patients. Biomarker testing helps identify which patients are most likely to benefit from targeted therapies.

Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy aims to help the body's own immune system fight cancer better. Immunotherapies approved for colorectal cancer include pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and nivolumab (Opdivo), which are checkpoint inhibitors that target the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway. By blocking this pathway, these drugs help strengthen the immune response against cancer cells. Currently, pembrolizumab and nivolumab are approved as later-line therapies for colorectal cancers with microsatellite instability-high or mismatch repair deficiency. Ongoing clinical trials are investigating immunotherapy combinations and their use earlier in treatment. Side effects of immunotherapies include fatigue, rash, diarrhea, and colitis. Researchers continue investigating new immunotherapy approaches for colorectal cancer.

Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams, like x-rays, to damage DNA and kill cancer cells selectively. It is commonly used in colorectal cancer as a supplement to surgical resection for patients whose cancer has spread locally. This approach, called adjuvant radiation therapy, aims to destroy any remaining cancer cells that may have escaped surgery. Radiation therapy may also help control symptoms for cancers that have spread or recurred. Potential side effects depend on the part of the body being treated but can include fatigue, skin irritation, and loose bowel movements. Advances in radiation delivery now allow for more targeted treatment of cancer sites while avoiding healthy tissues.

Surgery
Surgery is a mainstay of colorectal cancer treatment for removal of the primary tumor and nearby lymph nodes. The type of surgery depends on the location and extent of disease. For early-stage colon cancers, standard surgery involves removing the section of the colon containing the tumor. For advanced colon or rectal cancers, more extensive procedures like colectomies or low anterior resections may be needed. Surgery typically cures most patients when the cancer has not yet spread beyond the colon or rectum. Post-surgery chemotherapy helps control microscopic residual disease for patients at high risk of recurrence. Surgical techniques continue improving to better preserve organs and reduce side effects.

Liver-Directed Therapy
For colorectal cancers that have spread solely to the liver, emerging therapies directly target those liver tumors. One option is surgical resection of metastatic liver lesions. Another technique called radiofrequency ablation uses high-frequency electrical currents to heat and destroy tumors. This can help treat tumors otherwise unable to be fully removed. Radioembolization uses radioactive beads delivered through the bloodstream to lodge in tumors and emit radiation locally. These liver-directed techniques aim to effectively treat liver metastases when all visible tumors can be addressed. Ongoing combination treatment studies also investigate improving liver-directed outcomes through systemic therapies.

Precision Medicine
As researchers unlock more secrets of colorectal cancer biology, precision medicine approaches tailored to a patient’s individual tumor are increasingly possible. Molecular testing helps identify genetic mutations driving a person’s cancer. This informs targeted therapy options and enrollment in clinical trials of promising investigational drugs. Comprehensive genomic profiling further pinpoints combination treatments or clinical trials most relevant based on a tumor’s complete molecular profile. Growing cancer genome databases now guide precision treatment selections globally. Tissue banks and biorepositories also aid precision research by providing samples for developing new diagnostics and therapies. As precision techniques advance, they promise to maximize benefit from available treatments for each unique colorectal cancer.

Future Outlook
With continuous breakthroughs across therapeutics and prevention, colorectal cancer outcomes continue improving. Multidisciplinary collaboration between surgeons, oncologists, pathologists, and other specialists optimizes individualized care. Ongoing areas of focus include novel immunotherapy combinations, targeted agents addressing new pathways, reducing therapy side effects, improving cancer screening and diagnosis rates globally, advancing prevention like vaccines, and achieving reliably effective treatments for hard-to-treat advanced and metastatic disease. Ultimately, realizing colorectal cancer’s full potential for cure will take continued progress across all aspects of research, clinical practice, public awareness, healthcare access, and international partnerships. With sustained efforts, one day colorectal cancer may become a highly preventable and curable disease for all.

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Vaagisha brings over three years of expertise as a content editor in the market research domain. Originally a creative writer, she discovered her passion for editing, combining her flair for writing with a meticulous eye for detail. Her ability to craft and refine compelling content makes her an invaluable asset in delivering polished and engaging write-ups.

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