An update on pharmacotherapies for colorectal cancer: 2023 and beyond

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent and lethal cancers worldwide. The treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is difficult, and mCRC has a survival rate of only 13–17% compared with 70–90% in locoregional CRC. There is ongoing research effort on pharmacotherapy for CRC to improve the treatment outcome. Areas covered: We reviewed the current literature and ongoing clinical trials on CRC pharmacotherapy, with a focus on targeted therapy based on the results of genetic testing. The pharmacotherapies covered in this article include novel agents targeting EGFR and EGFR-related pathways, agents targeting the VEGF pathway, immunotherapy options depending on the MMR/MSI status, and new therapies targeting genetic fusions such as NTRK. We also briefly discuss the value of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in treatment selection and response monitoring. Expert opinion: We advocate for the early and routine use of NGS to genetically characterize CRC to assist with pharmacotherapy selection. Targeted therapy is a promising field of ongoing research and improves CRC treatment outcome.