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Name of the Trial

Phase III Randomized Study of Adjuvant Chemotherapy Comprising Fluorouracil, Leucovorin Calcium, and Oxaliplatin With Versus Without Bevacizumab in Patients With Resected Stage II or III Adenocarcinoma of the Colon (NSABP-C-08). See the protocol abstract ³.

Principal Investigator

Dr. Carmen Allegra, National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project.

Dr. Carmen Allegra Principal Investigator

Why This Trial Is Important

Colon cancer is third most common cancer in men and women in the United States and accounts for 10% of all cancer deaths. Surgery is the standard treatment for colon cancer that has not spread (metastasized) to other areas of the body. Often, surgery is followed by treatment with chemotherapy to help kill any remaining cancer cells (called adjuvant chemotherapy).

Recent studies have shown that the effectiveness of chemotherapy for colon cancer that has metastasized can be improved with the addition of a monoclonal antibody called bevacizumab (Avastin®). Bevacizumab blocks the action of a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which can help tumors establish a blood supply, so they can get oxygen and nutrients needed for growth.

With this study, researchers hope that patients undergoing adjuvant treatment for colon cancer that has not metastasized will also benefit from the addition of bevacizumab to chemotherapy.

"Bevacizumab inhibits the formation of blood vessels to tumors, thereby depriving the tumor of nutrients, and may increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy" said Dr. Allegra. "We hope that by adding bevacizumab to adjuvant chemotherapy, we will be able to prolong disease-free survival of people with colon cancer that can be surgically removed."

Contact Information

This clinical trial is no longer accepting new patients. To locate other clinical trials for colon cancer, search the NCI database of clinical trials ¹ 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.

Glossary Terms

A drug used to treat several types of cancer, including certain types of colorectal, lung, breast, and kidney cancers and glioblastoma. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Bevacizumab binds to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and 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.

The length of time after treatment for a specific disease during which a patient survives with no sign of the disease. Disease-free survival may be used in a clinical study or trial to help measure how well a new treatment works. Also called DFS and disease-free survival time.

A substance made by cells that stimulates new blood vessel formation. Also called VEGF.