GOLFIG increases progression-free survival in colorectal cancer patients

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Oncologists can increase colon cancer patients of one's immune system the effects of chemotherapy and progression-free survival, according to the phase III study results at the AACR Annual meeting 2011 is presented, held April 2-6 here.

Patients with advanced colorectal cancer are usually with combination chemotherapy with fluorouracil or the derivative product, Capecitabine with or without Levofolinic acid with irinotecan (FOLFIRI) or Oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) alone given or treated with the monoclonal antibody bevacizumab, Cetuximab, Panitumumab.

"These combinations were successful inducing tumor regression, stop progression of the disease and the improvement in overall survival." However, the average progression-free survival and overall survival at not more than eight to 10 and 20 to 22 months, respectively, ", said Pierpaolo Correale, m.d., PhD., an oncologist at Siena University School of medicine in Italy."

This study began in 2005, before monoclonal antibodies have been routinely used. Added Gemcitabine FOLFOX followed by stimulating factor and low-dose Aldesleukine (GOLFIG) to the immune system in an effort to cancer fight Correale and colleagues boost granulocyte macrophage colony.

The researchers randomly assigned 130 patients to GOLFIG or FOLFOX for maximum of 12 cycles and then receive maintenance therapy to the progression of the disease. The study was developed to the patients in both treatment arms until death follow, but due to much better results seen with GOLFIG therapy is stopped.

So far, a progression-free survival of 16.5 months compared to the 7.5 months those patients, the FOLFOX received had recorded the patients who received GOLFIG.

"Based on our experience and our previous results, we believe that that GOLFIG consider treatment FOLFOX chemotherapy with regard to the effectiveness and similar in toxicity and money," said Correale. "We were very surprised such a significant difference in overall survival with this small number of patients."

The challenge for the future said GOLFIG therapy with consisting of compare with monoclonal antibodies, he.

Source:
American Association for cancer research (AACR)