Expanded Treatment Options in the Adjuvant Therapy of Colon Cancer: Implications for Oncology Nurses

Abstract

Oncology nurses caring for patients with colon cancer should be aware of new changes in therapy options. Although the addition of new therapies increases the tools in the drug arsenal for the common disease, management of toxicities of therapy is crucial as well. This article reviews changes in therapy options and toxicity management, including discussion of key issues for oncology nurses in the care of patients with colon cancer.

Review of Panitumumab: A Targeted Therapy

“…Bevacizumab was approved by the FDA in 2004 to be used every two weeks with a fluorouracil regimen such as FOLFOX (Viale, 2006). Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody that affects the vascular endothelial growth factor, disrupting blood vessel growth (Genentech, Inc., 2006).…”

“…Cetuximab, approved by the FDA in 2004, is indicated weekly as a single agent or in combination with irinotecan as second-line treatment for mCRC (Viale, 2006). Cetuximab works directly against the epidermal growth factor receptors, altering cellular proliferation, which results in apoptosis and inhibition of cell growth (ImClone Systems Inc., 2004).…”