Colon cancer is a type of cancer originating from the colon or the rectum. It is the third most common cancer worldwide with an estimated 1.8 million new cases in 2018 according to the World Cancer Research Fund.

Colon cancer can be treated through various therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and surgery. However, these therapies alone may not be enough to completely suppress the progression of colon cancer, and combination therapy has emerged as a promising approach.

Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy Combination

Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells. Both therapies aim to target rapidly dividing cells, which include cancer cells.

When used in combination, chemotherapy and radiation therapy can be effective in reducing the size of tumors and increasing patients’ overall survival rate.

According to a study conducted by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, adjuvant chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy significantly improved disease-free survival and overall survival of patients with stage II or III rectal cancer, compared to those who only received radiation therapy.

Targeted Therapy and Chemotherapy Combination

Targeted therapy involves the use of drugs that target specific molecules involved in the growth and proliferation of cancer cells.

In contrast to chemotherapy, which targets all rapidly dividing cells, targeted therapies can selectively target cancer cells while sparing healthy cells, leading to fewer side effects. However, targeted therapy alone may not be effective in suppressing colon cancer completely, since cancer cells can develop resistance to these drugs. Combining targeted therapy with chemotherapy can enhance the effectiveness of both therapies.

For instance, in a clinical trial, patients with metastatic colon cancer who received a combination of the targeted therapy cetuximab and the chemotherapy drug irinotecan had significantly longer progression-free survival than those who only received irinotecan.

Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy Combination

Immunotherapy involves the use of drugs that stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. It has shown great success in the treatment of various types of cancer, including colon cancer.

However, not all patients respond to immunotherapy, and cancer cells can develop resistance to these drugs. Combining immunotherapy with targeted therapy can enhance the effectiveness of both therapies by overcoming resistance mechanisms.

For instance, in a clinical trial, patients with metastatic colon cancer who received a combination of the immunotherapy drug nivolumab and the targeted therapy drug ipilimumab had significantly longer progression-free survival than those who only received chemotherapy.

Surgery and Chemotherapy Combination

Surgery is a common treatment for colon cancer, in which the cancerous part of the colon is removed. However, surgery alone may not be enough to completely remove all cancer cells and prevent recurrence.

Chemotherapy can be used before or after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells and prevent the cancer from coming back. This is known as neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy.

According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, giving patients with stage III colon cancer neoadjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved overall survival rate compared to those who only received surgery.

Combining Therapies for Personalized Treatment

Colon cancer is a heterogeneous disease, which means that different patients may have different genetic mutations and response to therapies.

Therefore, combining multiple therapies can provide a personalized treatment approach that can target the specific characteristics of each patient’s tumor. This can maximize the efficacy of the treatment and minimize the side effects. In addition, combination therapy can prevent or overcome resistance mechanisms that cancer cells may develop against each individual therapy.

Conclusion

Combination therapy has emerged as a promising approach in the treatment of colon cancer.

Different combinations of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, surgery, and immunotherapy can be used to provide a personalized treatment approach for each patient. This can maximize the efficacy of the treatment and minimize the side effects. Moreover, combination therapy can prevent or overcome resistance mechanisms that cancer cells may develop against each individual therapy.

Therefore, it is important to further explore and develop combination therapy to improve the treatment outcomes of colon cancer patients.