Recent advances in treatment for colorectal liver metastasis

Abstract

A major challenge for the management of colorectal liver metastasis ( CRLM ) is the multidisciplinary approach including surgery. Resection is the most important treatment strategy to prolong the survival of patients with colorectal cancer ( CRC ). Even when resection is not possible as a primary treatment, it may still be carried out for curative intent after effective chemotherapy. Therefore, resection should always be considered when conducting chemotherapy for CRLM . Neoadjuvant anti‐epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR ) antibody has shown a high response rate for RAS wild CRC . However, whether anti‐ EGFR antibody is superior to antivascular endothelial growth factor antibody for all types of CRLM is yet to be determined. Recently, several randomized control trials of first‐line therapy for advanced CRC have been conducted, and some of them are ongoing. The optimal chemotherapy regimen and tumor biology indicated for neoadjuvant chemotherapy as well as conversion surgery are expected to be determined in the near future. Herein, we review and summarize the treatment options for colorectal liver metastasis. We also discuss recent advances in biomarker research for treatment decisions for liver metastasis.