Prof. Nguyen Chan Hung, President of Vietnam Oncology Society presents an overview of colorectal cancer situation and treatment options in Vietnam.

HCM CITY — Bayer in co-operation with the Viet Nam Oncology Society and HCM Oncology Hospital organised a congress to provide the medical community with updates on a new innovative treatment option for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Chaired by Prof Nguyen Chan Hung, president of the society and Dr Pham Xuan Dung, deputy director of the hospital, the congress attracted more than 120 oncologists and gastroenterologists from HCM City and other major cities in Viet Nam.

This collaboration is part of Bayer's commitment to share the latest advances in cancer treatment with the medical community in Vietnam.

On December 11 Bayer similarly collaborated with the National Cancer Hospital to organise a meeting in Ha Noi that was chaired by Assoc Prof Dr Bui Dieu, director of the hospital.

"Colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent cancer types for which there is a real unmet need for new treatment options," Hung said.

"Currently people with early colorectal cancer can have surgery to remove the cancer, preceded or followed by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy to prevent it from recurring.

"However, for many people with late stage cancer which has spread to other parts of the body, their chances of being cured are significantly reduced."

Based on data from Globocan 2012, colorectal cancer was third in the prevalence list (more than 1.36 million new cases per year) after lung cancer (1.82 million), and breast cancer (1.67 million).

According to Jemal A et al.CA Cancer J Clin 2011; 61:69–90, this cancer is mostly found in developing countries. Every year in Vietnam there are 8,768 new cases of colorectal cancer and 5,796 deaths caused by it.

Colorectal cancer develops in the colon and rectum. According to the American Cancer Society, metastatic colorectal cancer is mostly found in people aged 50 years and above.

It is generally related to factors like age (9 out of 10 patients are above 50), genetic disorder, family history (20 per cent of patients have family members with colorectal cancer), and pre-existing medical conditions such as polyps and type 2 diabetes. Obesity, smoking, diet (red meat diet increases the risk by three times for males), and alcohol consumption also increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer.

An overview of the congress to provide updates on a new innovative treatment option for metastatic colorectal cancer in Vietnam. — VNS Photos

Symptoms of the disease vary, and may include non-gastrointestinal symptoms and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Non-gastrointestinal symptoms include fatigue, pallor, palpitation, loss of appetite, weight loss, faded skin tone, and blood blockage, while gastrointestinal symptoms include ulceration, peritonitis, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, and blood in feces.

The survival rate for patients depends on the stage the cancer is diagnosed: If it is diagnosed at an early stage, the patient's survival rate is relatively good.

The innovative treatment option from Bayer has several advantages. Phase 3 trials have shown that it is the first and only multikinase inhibitor proven to control the disease and extend overall survival in previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer.

The therapy is in the form of an oral treatment with an adjustable dosage, and effects a seven-fold improvement in the rate of disease control compared to a placebo.

"The multi-targeted action of this therapy provides a new option in targeting metastatic colorectal cancer. During the trial, this treatment significantly improved both overall and progression-free survival in this difficult-to-treat population. These data show that this new innovation therapy from Bayer can provide an effective treatment option for patients with mCRC," Dieu said.

Lynette Moey, country head of Bayer's pharmaceuticals division in Vietnam, said: "At Bayer, we are committed to developing treatments that can improve the lives of patients.

We are delighted to bring this innovative therapy to patients and their physicians in Vietnam. There is a high unmet need for metastatic colorectal cancer treatment in Vietnam. This new innovation can positively impact those suffering from the cancer and help them lead a better life."