Monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer

Despite the advances obtained in recent years in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, the prognosis remains poor. An emerging understanding of the molecular pathways has provided novel targets in cancer therapy to improve these results. Emerging data from the clinical development of new drugs against these targets is providing novel opportunities in the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer. There is a need to optimize and define the best use of these new approaches. In this review, the authors examine the current development status of monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.