‘Oxaliplatin should be a part of standard therapy’

Taken together, the results of the C-07 and MOSAIC trials suggest that oxaliplatin improves both disease-free and overall survival in this population [resected stage II-III colon cancer patients], said Dr. Goldberg, of the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

He concurred with Dr. Wolmark that longer follow-up will be needed to get a clear picture of efficacy. In addition, given the trials’ similar findings, the schedule of 5-FU does not appear to affect this drug’s benefit, he said.

“I think the preponderance of evidence suggests that oxaliplatin should be a part of standard therapy. At the same time, the trials do not resolve the questions of optimal duration of therapy and optimal total dose of oxaliplatin,” he noted. And as for how best to manage stage II disease, he said, “That, I think, is yet to be determined.”