A study recently published in the journal Gastroenterology, suggests that irinotecan-based therapy, when combined with standard chemotherapy treatment, may improve survival rates for a subset of patients with stage III colon cancer.
Irinotecan-based therapy may benefit colon cancer patients with the CpG island methylator phenotype, which is present in approximately 10 percent to 20 percent of colorectal cancer cases.
"Our results serve as an example that the molecular characterization of individual tumors may help to determine the most appropriate treatment for patients with colon cancer," said lead study author Stacey Shiovitz, MD, of the University of Washington in Seattle.
More articles on gastroenterology:
Are surveillance colonoscopy practices due for an update?
5 things to know about colonoscopy payment: AGA bundle vs. Medicare model
What is the optimal bowel preparation for colonoscopy?
Irinotecan-based therapy may benefit colon cancer patients with the CpG island methylator phenotype, which is present in approximately 10 percent to 20 percent of colorectal cancer cases.
"Our results serve as an example that the molecular characterization of individual tumors may help to determine the most appropriate treatment for patients with colon cancer," said lead study author Stacey Shiovitz, MD, of the University of Washington in Seattle.
More articles on gastroenterology:
Are surveillance colonoscopy practices due for an update?
5 things to know about colonoscopy payment: AGA bundle vs. Medicare model
What is the optimal bowel preparation for colonoscopy?