Aflibercept is a recombinant human fusion protein that acts as a decoy receptor to prevent vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, VEGF-B, and placental growth factor (PlGF) from interacting with their native receptors, thereby inhibiting angiogenesis (Figure 1). Currently, the humanized monoclonal antibody bevacizumab, which binds to VEGF-A, is the only agent targeting the VEGF pathway that is approved for use in colorectal cancer (CRC). It is used in combination with FOLFOX (5- fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin) or FOLFIRI (5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan). Findings from the recent multinational phase III EFC10262-VELOUR trial have shown that aflibercept is effective in prolonging survival when it is used in combination with FOLFIRI in the second-line treatment of metastatic CRC (mCRC).1
*For a PDF of the full article and accompanying Commentary, click on the links to the left of this introduction.