Charles S. Fuchs, MD, MPH

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays an importantrole in cell growth, differentiation, and survival. Targeting EGFR inpatients with colorectal cancer has become an important therapeutictool. Recently, a monoclonal antibody against the extracellular domainof the receptor (cetuximab [Erbitux]) has been approved for the treatmentof patients with EGFR-positive metastatic disease refractory toirinotecan (Camptosar)-based therapy. The role of other targeted agentsagainst EGFR, including other monoclonal antibodies as well as inhibitorsof the intracellular tyrosine kinase domain, will also be discussed.

Despite a dramatic decline in the incidence of gastric carcinoma inthe United States during the past century, treatment remains a challengingproblem for oncologists. Surgery continues to be the primarymodality for managing early-stage gastric cancer, but up to 80% ofpatients who undergo a "curative" resection develop locoregional ordistant recurrence. Given these sobering statistics, there has been greatinterest in developing strategies to prevent recurrences after surgeryand improve overall mortality. In this article, we review data onadjuvant treatment modalities for this disease, including radiotherapy,chemotherapy, combination chemotherapy and radiation, intraperitonealtreatment, and immunotherapy. We focus attention on the recentwidespread acceptance of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy, based on theresults of Intergroup trial 0116. Future strategies incorporating differentmodalities of treatment will be outlined.