Targeted Therapy for Colorectal Cancer

Targeted therapy uses drugs to target specific changes in cancer cells that help them grow, divide, and spread. Targeted therapy drugs are designed to be more precise. They fight cancer cells while causing less harm to other cells in the body.

These are the latest targeted therapies available to treat colorectal cancer (CRC). New treatments become available all the time, so this may not be a complete list. 

Please note: The side effects listed here do not represent a comprehensive list. It's important to discuss all potential side effects of a drug with your healthcare team. Be sure to tell your healthcare team about any side effects you do have.

All Available Treatments

Intravenous =
Pill =

Treatment Type

Monoclonal Antibody

Drug Names
Alymsys® (bevacizumab) (IV)
Avastin® (IV)
Cyrmaza® (IV)
Erbitux® (cetuximab) (IV)
Mvasi® (IV)
Vectibix® (panitumumab) (IV)
Zirabev® (IV)
Potential Severe Side Effects - Vectibex
Skin/nail changes
Important Things to Know - All Drugs
  • This medication can be used alone or in combination with other chemotherapies.
  • May cause trouble sleeping (insomnia), dizziness, and upper respiratory symptoms (stuffy/runny nose)

Important Things to Know - Erbitux:

  • This medication may cause severe or life-threatening reactions. Talk to your doctor before receiving this medicine if you are allergic to red meat or have ever been bitten by a tick.
  • Talk to your doctor if you’ve ever had heart problems (like heart failure) or radiation therapy near the head or neck area.
  • Used to treat CRC that has spread to other parts of the body.

Important Things to Know - Cyramza:

Important Things to Know - Vectibix:

  • This drug can lead to skin reactions, and some may be severe. These severe skin reactions can lead to life-threating infections.
  • Used to treat CRC that has spread to other parts of the body during or after treatment with other chemotherapy drugs.
  • May lead to hair growth, particularly eyelashes.

Treatment Type

Kinase Inhibitors

Drug Names
Fruzaqla® (fruquintinib) (Pill)
Tukysa® (tucatinib) (Pill)
Important Things to Know
  • Used to treat CRC that cannot be removed with surgery or has spread to other areas of the body.
  • Can be used with other therapies to treat people with CRC that has spread and not gotten better with other treatments.
  • Tukysa - Used to treat CRC that has HER2 amplification and the wild-type RAS gene.
  • Tukysa - May lead to feelings of anxiety.
  • Tukysa- Can lead to flu-like symptoms including chills, cough, and shortness of breath.