Systematic Review
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World J Gastrointest Oncol. Jun 15, 2014; 6(6): 177-183
Published online Jun 15, 2014. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v6.i6.177
Current status of pharmacological treatment of colorectal cancer
Reyhan Akhtar, Shammy Chandel, Pooja Sarotra, Bikash Medhi
Reyhan Akhtar, Shammy Chandel, Pooja Sarotra, Bikash Medhi, Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India
Author contributions: Akhtar R and Medhi B designed the study; Akhtar R and Chandel S performed the study; Akhtar R and Sarotra P analyzed the data; Akhtar R and Chandel S wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Bikash Medhi, MD, Additional Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India. drbikashus@yahoo.com
Telephone: +91-172- 2755250 Fax: +91-172-2744401
Received: December 11, 2013
Revised: February 18, 2014
Accepted: March 8, 2014
Published online: June 15, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: A systematic review was undertaken to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing synthetic drugs for the treatment of colorectal cancer and/or adenomatous polyps from various medical databases, including clinicaltrials.gov, and a total of around 2300 RCTs were screened. After reviewing data from RCTs of synthetic drugs, alone or in combination with biological agents, for the treatment of colorectal cancer, it was concluded that combination regimens of standard chemotherapeutic drugs with new cytotoxic and targeted agents have led to an increase in overall and progression-free survival and have also contributed to increased rates of resectability and improved health-related quality of life in patients.