RAD001, FOLFOX and Bevacizumab in Treatment of Colorectal Carcinoma

"RAD001 (everolimus) is a novel oral derivative of rapamycin.~RAD001 is being investigated as an anticancer agent based on its potential to act:~* Directly on the tumor cells by inhibiting tumor cell growth and proliferation~* Indirectly by inhibiting angiogenesis leading to reduced tumor vascularity (via potent inhibition of tumor cell HIF-1 activity, VEGF production and VEGF-induced proliferation of endothelial cells). The role of angiogenesis in the maintenance of solid tumor growth is well established, and the mTOR pathway has been implicated in the regulation of tumor production of proangiogenic factors as well as modulation of VEGFR signaling in endothelial cells."

FOLFOX regimens combine oxaliplatin and leucovorin with bolus and infusional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). 1 Oxaliplatin is a DNA cross-linking agent consisting of a platinum ion chelated with1, 2-diaminocyclohexane (DACH) and an oxalate ligand. It undergoes spontaneous activation in aqueous solutions via displacement of the labile oxalate ligand by water. The activated compounds bind with DNA, resulting in inter- and intra-strand platinum-DNA crosslinks. 5-FU is an anti-metabolite that blocks the methylation reaction of deoxyuridylic acid to thymidylic acid, causing thymidine-less cell death in rapidly growing cells. Leucovorin is reduced folic acid that modulates the activity of 5-FU by stabilizing the ternary 5-FdUMP/ thymidylate synthetase complex. Side effects associated with FOLFOX include neuropathy including pharyngo-laryngodysesthesia, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and mild myelosuppression.

Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody directed against VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) has been studied in a multitude of Phase I, II, and III clinical trials in more than 5000 patients in multiple tumor types. Phase III data in metastatic cancers