Dr. Raghav on the Utility of Chemotherapy-Free Intervals in CRC

Kanwal Raghav, MBBS, MD, an associate professor in the Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, of the Division of Cancer Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the utility of chemotherapy-free intervals in colorectal cancer (CRC).

The known adverse effects of chemotherapy forced the field to evaluate chemotherapy-free options, such as single-agent EGFR inhibitors, for patients with CRC, explains Raghav. Additionally, patients can receive a chemotherapy break with bridging therapies such as regorafenib (Stivarga) in the third-line setting, Raghav says.

Chemotherapy-free intervals can allow a patient’s bone marrow to recover from prior chemotherapy, says Raghav. Additionally, data have shown that chemotherapy-free intervals do not diminish patient outcomes. Finally, giving patients a break from chemotherapy could allow them to maintain a good performance status and sustain their eligibility to participate in clinical trials, concludes Raghav.