Andrea Cercek, MD

Andrea Cercek, MD, medical oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses targeted strategies in 

-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Many therapeutic advances have been made for patients with 

 V600E—mutant mCRC which accounts for approximately 10% of all mCRC cases, says Cercek. The mutation is associated with a worse prognosis and confers lack of benefit to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Data from the phase III BEACON CRC study showed a significant improvement in overall survival with the 3-drug combination of encorafenib (Braftovi), binimetinib (Mektovi), and cetuximab (Erbitux) versus encorafenib/cetuximab and investigator’s choice of chemotherapy in these patients. However, although the triplet performed statistically better than the control, it also resulted in more toxicity, says Cercek.

In 2018, the FDA granted a breakthrough therapy designation to the triplet for the treatment of patients with 

 V600E—mutant mCRC who have progressed on ≤2 prior lines of therapy.

Videos

Andrea Cercek, MD, discusses targeted strategies in BRAF-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer.

Dr. Cercek on Targeted Strategies in BRAF-Mutant mCRC

Andrea Cercek, MD, medical oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the impact of tumor sidedness on frontline treatment decisions in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Tumor sidedness influences frontline treatment decisions in mCRC, says Cercek. Several retrospective analyses have shown that patients with right-sided tumors, as well as those with 

 wild-type tumors, do not benefit from anti-EGFR therapy. These patients do, however, benefit from anti-VEGF therapy in combination with cytotoxic therapy, says Cercek. Conversely, patients with left-sided tumors benefit from anti-EGFR therapy, adds Cercek.

 wild-type tumors have a more aggressive biology and confer lack of response to targeted therapy versus left-sided tumors is unknown, concludes Cercek.

Dr. Cercek on the Impact of Tumor Sidedness on Frontline Treatment in mCRC

Andrea Cercek, MD, medical oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the need for treatment options in 

-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

 mutations comprise about 50% of patients with mCRC. Patients with a 

 mutation have 1 less therapeutic option because they cannot be treated with anti-EGFR therapy, said Cercek. There have been poor responses in the mCRC setting of 

-mutated tumors with certain treatments, such as cetuximab (Erbitux) and panitumumab (Vectibix).

Emerging studies will focus on helping this particular patient population, concludes Cercek.

Andrea Cercek, MD, discusses the need for treatment options in KRAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Dr. Cercek on the Need for Treatment Options in KRAS-Mutated mCRC

Andrea Cercek, MD, medical oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the importance of molecular testing in colorectal cancer (CRC).

Molecular markers play a key role in the treatment of patients with CRC, says Cercek.

Patients whose tumors are microsatellite instable (MSI) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) have a genetic predisposition to Lynch syndrome, explains Cercek.

All patients with CRC should be tested for MSI/dMMR upon diagnosis or before starting second-line therapy, says Cercek. A subset of these patients could experience significant benefit with immunotherapy.

Additionally, targeted therapy may be given to patients with actionable mutations such as 

 in the first-line or relapsed/refractory settings, concludes Cercek.

Andrea Cercek, MD, discusses the importance of molecular testing in colorectal cancer.

Author | Andrea Cercek, MD

Articles

Dr. Cercek on Targeted Strategies in BRAF-Mutant mCRC

Dr. Cercek on the Impact of Tumor Sidedness on Frontline Treatment in mCRC

Dr. Cercek on the Need for Treatment Options in KRAS-Mutated mCRC

Dr. Cercek on the Importance of Molecular Testing in CRC