Chemotherapy Of GI Malignancies Flashcards
Carcinogenesis of Colon Cancer: Pathway to Tumor Formation (1A-3A)
- Genetic mutation in adenomatous polyposis coli gene
A. Formation of small benign polyp - Activation of oncogene K-RAS
A. Enlargement of polyp - Loss of p53 gene functionality
A. Transformation to a malignant lesion
Prevention of Colon Cancer (1C-3B)
- Diet and exercise
A. High fiber, low fat diet
B. High fruits and veggies
C. Calcium and Vitamin D supplementation - COX inhibition
A. COX-2 expression enhanced in 90% colorectal cancers
B. Aspirin/NSAIDs
C. Strongly dose-dependent - US Preventative Services Task Force Recommendation
A. Initiate low-dose aspirin for primary prevention of CVD and colorectal cancer in adults 50-59
B. Must have 10% or greater CVD risk and no bleeding risk
Screening for Primary Colorectal Cancer Detection (1B-2A)
1. Stool-based tests A. Fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) a. Guiac-based, low sensitivity/specificity b. Inexpensive, non-invasive c. High false positive rate B. Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) a. Can be used in place of FOBT b. Antibody-based to detect hemoglobin in the stool c. More expensive
- Digital rectal exam (DRE)
A. Not recommended
Detection of Adenomatous Polyps and Cancer (1A-D)
1. Visualized exams A. Flexible sigmoidoscopy B. Colonoscopy a. High sensitivity C. Barium enema a. Contrast study visualized entire large bowel b. Use has declined due to use of endoscopic and CT procedures D. CT colonography a. May help identify metastatic disease
ACS Screening Recommendations (1F-2A)
1. Average Risk (Age > 50) A. FOBT or FIT annually B. Flexible sigmoidoscopy - every 5 years C. Colonoscopy - every 10 years D. CT of the colon - every 5 years E. Barium enema - every 5 years F. Stool DNA test - every 3 years
- High Risk (family hx: 35-40, FAP: age 10-12, Lynch syndrome: 20-25)
A. Colonoscopy - annually
Tumor Marker for Colorectal Cancer (1A-C)
- Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)
A. Marker of choice for monitoring response to treatment
B. Not for screening
C. Monitor if patient will require further intervention:
a. Baseline
b. Every 3-6 months for 2 years
c. Every 6 months to complete 5 years total
Stages and 5-year Survival Rate for Colorectal Cancers (4)
- Stage I: local disease, no invasion of surrounding tissue - >90%
- Stage II: invasion of muscular mucosa, no extracolonic spread - 55-85%
- Stage III: lymph node involvement - 25-55%
- Stage IV: metastatic disease - <5%
Colorectal Cancer Stages and Goals of Therapy (4)
- Stage I: Cure - remove polyps during colonoscopy
- Stage II: Cure - partial colectomy to remove cancer and adjuvant chemotherapy
- Stage III: Cure - partial colectomy to remove cancer and tumor infiltrated lymph nodes and adjuvant chemotherapy; FOLFOX (5-FU, leucovorin, oxaliplatin) or CapeOX (capecitabine and oxaliplatin) regimens
- Stage IV: Palliative Care - surgical options depend on the extend and size of metastases; often used to prevent or relieve symptoms such as removing blockages in the colon; chemotherapy to control the cancer - FOLFOX, FOLFIRI (leucovorin, 5-FU, irinotecan), CapeOx
High-Risk Factors for Recurrence (5)
- Grade 3, 4 lesions
- Bowel perforation/obstruction
- Lymph node involvement
- Positive surgical margins
- <12 lymph nodes examined
Treatment Options for Colorectal Cancer (1B-3B)
- Surgery: partial colectomy
A. Curative for localized disease (Stage I, II, and maybe III)
B. Palliative Stage III and IV - Radiotherapy
A. Minimal role in colon cancer
B. Rectal cancer: neoadjuvant to improve regional control and adjuvant to prevent local recurrence
C. Palliation for pain and bleeding control in colon cancer - Chemotherapy: adjuvant or primary treatment
A. Begin 4-6 weeks after surgical resection
B. 5-FU based regimen is standard of care
Chemotherapy Agents for Colorectal Cancer (6)
- 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU): leucovorin given along to enhance effectiveness
- Capecitabine: oral prodrug of 5-FU
- Oxaliplatin
- Irinotecan
- EGFR inhibitors: cetuximab, panitumumab
- VEGF inhibitors: bevacizuman, Ziv-afilbercept, Regorafenib (multi-kinase inhibitor)
5-FU and capecitabine toxicities (3)
Hand-foot-mouth syndrome, diarrhea, mucositis
Oxaliplatin toxicity (1C-3C)
- Hypersensitivity reaction: 10-25%
A. Flushing, urticaria, fever, rash, hypotension, bronchospasm
B. Occurs after 6-9 cycles (cumulative dose 650 mg/m2)
C. Stop infusion, administer diphenhydramine, steroids, IVF, epinephrine, albuterol - Acute neurotoxicity: 85-95%
A. Metabolite chelates magnesium and calcium, causing hyper-excitable sodium channels
B. Exacerbated by cold
C. Occurs within hours to days oxaliplatin infusion - Cumulative neurotoxicity: 16-21%; may be permanent
A. Associated with doses > 580 mg/m2 or > 6 cycles
B. Discontinuing oxaliplatin after 6 cycles reduces toxicity w/ similar OS
C. May pre-treat with calcium and magnesium infusions
FOLFOX toxicity (3)
Neuropathy, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia
FOLFIRI toxicity (3)
Fatigue, diarrhea, neutropenia