In a nutshell
This study reviews the value of TAS-102 in the treatment of colorectal cancer that has progressed with other therapies. Researchers suggested that TAS-102 is an important treatment option for patients with progressive colorectal cancer.
Some background
Colorectal cancer is the third most frequently diagnosed cancer in men and the second in woman, worldwide. Until the beginning of this century, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was the only available drug to treat these patients. Fortunately, the number of therapies has significantly increased.
Chemotherapy drugs attack cancer cells, slowing down cancer progression, and are used to treat cancer, to reduce symptoms and prolong survival. Different chemotherapy drugs can be used and often are combined to increase effectiveness. TAS-102 is a new chemotherapy that combines trifluridine (TFT) and tipiracil hydrochloride (TPI). Prior studies showed that TAS-102 has anti-tumor activity in patients with cancer progressing despite treatment. Therefore, TAS-102 might be an effective cancer treatment option for these patients.
Methods & findings
The objective of this study was to review the development of the chemotherapy TAS-102 and its therapeutic value to treat patients with progressive colorectal cancer.
TFT targets and kills cancer cells. TAS-102 was created when it was found that TPI increases the anti-tumor effect of TFT. A prior study randomized 800 colorectal cancer patients to receive TAS-102 or placebo (with no effect on the body). Patients in the TAS-102 had a 32% improvement in the odds of a better overall survival. Progression-free survival (time from treatment to cancer progression) was 2 months for the TAS-102 patients and 1.7 months for the placebo patients.
In prior studies with TAS-102, shrinkage of the tumor has rarely been observed. This treatment is thought to be a method of slowing tumor growth.
TAS-102 is generally well tolerated. Low white blood cell levels was the major side effect. Other common side effects were gastrointestinal complaints and fatigue.
TAS-102 and regorafenib (Stivarga) have a very similar effectiveness in colorectal cancer that has progressed following treatment. However, regorafenib is more likely to cause side effects compared to TAS-102.
The bottom line
This review concluded that the chemotherapy TAS-102 is an important treatment option for progressing colorectal cancer, with manageable side effects.
Published By :
Clinical Cancer Research
Date :
Apr 28, 2016
