Cancer Treatments Improving – Fewer Side Effects in Sight

I came across two articles today that provide growing hope for cancer treatments that produce fewer side effects such as alopecia. Both stories come out of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting which is presently being held in Chicago.

Story number one has bearing on metastatic colorectal cancer. Data was presented today on “a novel combination regimen based on Merck KGaA’s oral 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) therapy UFT (tegafur–uracil) plus leucovorin (LV) [that] has shown an excellent response rate in the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).” Of relevance to us is the fact that the incidence of neurotoxicity and alopecia were minimal. Findings from a second, similar study were also presented. The response rate for this treatment regimen, dubbed “CETUFTIRI”, were “attractive” when viewed in combination with the treatments “acceptable safety profile.”

Story number two relates to advanced ovarian cancer. The study was designed to further evaluate an “intraperitoneal regimen,” as opposed to more traditional intravenous regimens, consisting of carboplatin and paclitaxel. The results were again positive in this small study, and further investigation seems merited. Again, of particular relevance to us is the fact that toxicity was mild and none of the women who completed the trial reported any incidence of alopecia.