Targeted therapies for colorectal cancer

Targeted therapies are drugs that attack the parts of cancer cells that make them different from normal cells. These targeted drugs work differently from standard chemotherapy (chemo) drugs. They often have different (and less severe) side effects. At this time, they are most often used either along with chemo or by themselves if chemo is no longer working.

Some of these are man-made proteins called monoclonal antibodies that have been approved for use, along with chemo, to treat colorectal cancer.