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Featured Clinical Trials

Cancer Studies Highlighted in the NCI Cancer Bulletin
  • Posted: 04/13/2004

Study of Combination Biological Therapy for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Name of the Trial

Phase II Randomized Study of Bevacizumab and Cetuximab With or Without Irinotecan in Patients With Irinotecan-Refractory Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (MSKCC-03135). See the protocol summary 1.

Principal Investigator

Dr. Leonard Saltz
Dr. Leonard Saltz
Principal Investigator

Dr. Leonard Saltz of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Why This Trial Is Important

Colorectal cancer (cancer that occurs in the colon or the rectum) is among the most commonly diagnosed and most deadly cancers in the United States. Colorectal cancer can usually be cured if detected early; however, if it has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body, it is often fatal. Scientists are eager to find more effective treatments or combinations of treatments for metastatic colorectal cancer.

Monoclonal antibodies, such as cetuximab (Erbitux®) and bevacizumab (Avastin®), are playing an increasingly important role in cancer therapy. Cetuximab targets a protein that some types of cancer need for growth. Bevacizumab interferes with the ability of a tumor to establish a blood supply. Combining cetuximab and bevacizumab with traditional chemotherapy drugs, such as irinotecan, may slow the progression of disease or even improve survival for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

"With this trial, we're taking the two newest targeted therapies for colorectal cancer and combining them to see if they are more effective than standard chemotherapy, either as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with irinotecan," said Dr. Saltz.

Contact Information

This trial is closed to further patient accrual. To locate other colon or rectal cancer clinical trials, search the NCI's database of clinical trials 2 or call the NCI's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). The call is toll free and completely confidential.

Related Pages



Glossary Terms

bevacizumab (beh-vuh-SIH-zoo-mab)
A drug used to treat glioblastoma (a type of brain cancer) and certain types of colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and kidney cancer. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Bevacizumab binds to a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This may prevent the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. It is a type of antiangiogenesis agent and a type of monoclonal antibody. Also called Avastin.
cetuximab (seh-TUK-sih-mab)
A monoclonal antibody used to treat certain types of head and neck cancer, and colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Monoclonal antibodies are made in the laboratory and can locate and bind to cancer cells. Cetuximab binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is found on the surface of some types of cancer cells. Also called Erbitux.
colon (KOH-lun)
The longest part of the large intestine, which is a tube-like organ connected to the small intestine at one end and the anus at the other. The colon removes water and some nutrients and electrolytes from partially digested food. The remaining material, solid waste called stool, moves through the colon to the rectum and leaves the body through the anus.
irinotecan (I-rih-noh-TEE-kan)
The active ingredient in a drug used alone or with other drugs to treat colon cancer or rectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body or has come back after treatment with fluorouracil. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Irinotecan blocks certain enzymes needed for cell division and DNA repair, and it may kill cancer cells. It is a type of topoisomerase inhibitor and a type of camptothecin analog.
rectum (REK-tum)
The last several inches of the large intestine closest to the anus.

Table of Links

1http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/MSKCC-03135
2http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search
3http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/colon-and-rectal