In a nutshell
This study compared the effectiveness of regorafenib (Stivarga), trifluridine/tipiracil (TFTP; Lonsurf), and combinations of these drugs in the treatment of patients with inoperable colorectal cancer. Researchers suggested that a combination of TFTP and regorafenib is associated with longer survival and fewer side effects.
Some background
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. One-quarter of these patients had metastasis at diagnosis. Conventional chemotherapy is of limited effectiveness in advanced cases. The addition of other drugs to the treatment improves treatment response.
Regorafenib stops the tumor from forming blood vessels and spreading. TFTP is a combination of chemotherapy drugs that stop cancer cells from dividing. This stops tumor growth and spread. Prior studies showed the effectiveness of both regorafenib and TFTP. However, most of the studies included an insufficient number of cases and no comparison between the 2 treatments of a combination of them exists.
Methods & findings
This study included the records of 7279 Japanese patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Participants received either regorafenib alone (group 1; 1501), regorafenib followed by TFTP (group 2; 973), TFTP alone (group 3; 3777), and TFTP followed by regorafenib (group 4; 1028).
The average overall survival (OS) was 6.4 months in group 1, 16.4 months in group 2, 10.2 months in group 3, and 16.9 months in group 4. TFTP treatment administered first was associated with a 10% higher OS compared to regorafenib administered first.
More patients in the combination groups experienced side effects compared to one treatment only. 52% of patients in group 1, 77% in group 2, 48% in group 3 and 74% in group 4 experience side effects.
The bottom line
This study concluded that TFTP followed by regorafenib is a good treatment option for patients with advanced colorectal cancer.
The fine print
This study was based on medical records. Some information might have been incomplete. This might affect the results.
Published By :
Clinical Colorectal Cancer
Date :
Dec 01, 2020
