Dr. Philip on Non-Operative Treatment Advances in CRC

Tony Philip, MD, a medical oncologist at Monter Cancer Center of the North Shore, LIJ Cancer Institute, and an assistant professor of medicine at Hofstra-North Shore LIJ School of Medicine and New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, discusses advances made in the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

Short-course radiotherapy, as examined in the phase 3 RAPIDO trial (NCT01558921), could have benefit to patients with CRC during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it reduces the time spent in a hospital or clinic setting, Philip says. As such, outcomes for response to this treatment can be preserved, Philip notes.

Additionally, findings from the phase 2 OPRA trial (NCT02008656), which helped to evolve the non-operative management of distal colon cancer, suggest that up-front chemoradiotherapy followed by chemotherapy could be a good strategy, Philip explains. This is important, as the method was not considered years ago, Philip concludes.