This phase-2 trial evaluated the efficacy of axitinib as maintenance therapy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) following first-line treatment with FOLFOX/bevacizumab. Patients with mCRC received mFOLFOX/bevacizumab followed by axitinib maintenance after four cycles. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Seventy patients were enrolled. Common treatment-related toxicities were fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and peripheral neuropathy during FOLFOX/bevacizumab treatment; and fatigue, hypertension, diarrhea, and peripheral neuropathy during axitinib treatment. Median PFS was 8.3 months. Treatment with FOLFOX/bevacizumab followed by maintenance axitinib as first-line treatment for mCRC produced a median PFS consistent with historical controls of other first-line regimens.

BackgroundDepression is one of the most predominant mental health issues that are prevalent now. Therefore, many clinical trials were being conducted to find the safest, most effective, and tolerable anti-depressant. This study aims to compare desvenlafaxine and sertraline regarding their safety and efficacy in treating depression. MethodologyThe patients who were diagnosed with depressive disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria were included in the study and were divided into two groups. The severity of depression in these patients was evaluated using Beck Depression Inventory and Hamilton depression scale (HAM-D) before and after the treatment (four weeks). ResultsAbout 64% of the study sample were males, and 36% were females, with 77% of the patients in the desvenlafaxine group taking 100 mg dosage and about 74% patients taking 50 mg dosage in the sertraline group. The patients in both groups showed statistically significant (p < 0.00001) improvement after using these drugs. ConclusionBoth desvenlafaxine and sertraline showed their efficacy in treating depression by improving the clinical outcome in patients. Sertraline was marginally better in clinical results. Finally, it is advisable to carry out more randomized trials to improve the patient's quality of life.