Which chemotherapy drugs are most commonly used in colorectal cancer?

In the treatment of colorectal cancer, 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and oxaliplatin are the cornerstone chemotherapy agents. This combination is widely used due to its established efficacy and is considered a standard treatment regimen, particularly in a setting of adjuvant therapy for stage II and III colorectal cancer as well as for metastatic disease.

5FU is an antimetabolite that interferes with DNA synthesis, while oxaliplatin is a platinum-based drug that forms cross-links in DNA, preventing replication and transcription. Together, they work synergistically to enhance the overall therapeutic effect against colorectal cancer cells. Frequently, 5FU is combined with leucovorin (folinic acid) to increase its efficacy, and this combination may also be included in various regimens such as FOLFOX (5FU, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin), which is a standard treatment approach.

The other options provided are not the mainstays of colorectal cancer treatment. For instance, cisplatin and carboplatin are primarily used for other types of cancers such as lung and testicular cancers, while doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide are more commonly utilized in breast cancer therapy. Gemcitabine and capec