Dr. Hoff on Delivering Chemotherapy Until Progression Versus Complete Stop in mCRC

Paulo Marcelo Hoff, MD, PhD, FACP, University of São Paulo, Brazil, discusses a meta-analysis of randomized trials that examined the effect of chemotherapy delivered until progression versus complete stop on the overall survival of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Hoff says the meta-analysis showed that continuing some kind of therapy is important. However, there could be a small subset of patients where chemotherapy can be completely stopped.

The takeaway message for community oncologists is that treatment for patients with mCRC should not be completely stopped, Hoff says, even if they are doing well. While it is difficult for the patient to continue with treatment, the analysis showed a clear benefit for remaining on maintenance treatment.

Hoff says the next step will be to conduct more research to try to find predictive factors that can help physicians select the small group of patients that could be placed on true holidays from chemotherapy.