Biomarker Testing Can Better Inform Targeted Colorectal Cancer Treatment

In an interview with CancerNetwork®, Rona Yaeger, MD, gastrointestinal (GI) medical oncologist and Early Development Specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discussed key takeaways from her presentation titled, “Targeting BRAF, KRAS, and HER2 in GI Tumors” she gave at the 43rd Annual Chemotherapy Foundation Symposium (CFS) in New York, NY.

When comparing treatment modalities, Yaeger noted that targeted therapies are mechanistically distinct from chemotherapy, offering greater specificity but introducing a unique spectrum of adverse effects (AEs) requiring proactive treatment stategies. She highlighted skin toxicities as a common event, and her team works in close collaboration with dermatology to manage these symptoms effectively.

Next, she pointed to the clinical data supporting the use of encorafenib (Braftovi) in combination with cetuximab (Erbitux), which has been shown to counteract the severity of the acneiform rash typically associated with (EGFR) inhibition. Although the rash may be reduced, patients still commonly experience dry skin, leading her team to advise consistent moisturizing and strict sun exposure limits. Finally, diarrhea is another frequently observed AE with these targeted regimens.

Yaeger further expressed that these GI events must be proactively monitored. By tracking symptoms closely, clinicians can quickly intervene and manage the diarrhea effectively with appropriate anti-diarrheal agents, thereby minimizing patient discomfort and preserving quality of life.

Then, she concluded in emphasizing the role of mutational status in treatment for colorectal malignancies, which, when identified, can inform treatment with targeted therapy in addition to chemotherapy, which can prolong response and survival outcomes.

For more of this interview, visit cancernetwork.com.

#GITumors #TargetedTherapy #Oncology #BRAF #KRAS #HER2 #SkinToxicity #MultidisciplinaryCare #ProactiveManagement #ColorectalCancer

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Видео Biomarker Testing Can Better Inform Targeted Colorectal Cancer Treatment канала CancerNetwork