Dr. Bekaii-Saab on the Emergence of Targeted Therapy in CRC

Tanios S. Bekaii-Saab, MD, FACP, medical oncologist, medical director, Cancer Clinical Research Office, vice chair and section chief, Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, discusses the emergence of targeted therapy in colorectal cancer (CRC).

​Targeted therapy has revolutionized the treatment of patients across multiple tumor types​, says Bekaii-Saab. However, ​the introduction of targeted therapy was delayed in the CRC paradigm.

Historically, treatment selection included chemotherapy regimens, such as FOLFOX and FOLFIRI, ​as well as biologic agents such as bevacizumab (Avastin) and cetuximab (Erbitux), ​Bekaii-Saab says. However, with targeted therapy, novel options have been introduced to the field.

As the field continues to evaluate the role of targeted therapy, it is likely that these agents will continue to improve patient outcomes in CRC, concludes Bekaii-Saab.