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Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death and the second most common cancer in the United States. The development of targeted biologic therapies for colorectal cancer treatment offers new options for treating this disease. Research has produced agents that specifically target malignant cell characteristics and are much less toxic than the nonspecific cytotoxic agents used as part of traditional cancer treatment regimens. Advances in monoclonal antibody (MAb) production methods have led to the development of MAb therapies that are less antigenic, have improved safety profiles, and are more effective then early MAb therapies.

Speakers at this session will discuss the most up-to-date scientific information on the advances in treating colorectal cancer. Pharmacists will be presented with the science surrounding the development of targeted therapies, the rationale and advances posed by purely human monoclonal antibodies, and the target antigens. The second presentation will focus on treatment standards for adjuvant and metastatic colorectal cancer. The third speaker will discuss recent and emerging clinical trials that may affect the treatment options for this disease state.

Target Audience

This symposium was planned to meet the needs of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who have an interest in, treat, instruct, or otherwise participate in the care of patients with colorectal cancer or need an update on the disease state and treatment options.