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Furuse, Junji

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0663-6117

Mayo Clinic

Kanagawa Prefectural Hospital Organization

Citations 15

Pemigatinib for Unresectable or Metastatic Cholangiocarcinoma With Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor–2 Rearrangement: Results From the Phase III FIGHT-302 Trial
Bekaii‐Saab, Tanios , Wilmink, Hanneke , Garufi, Carlo , Tran, Nguyen H. , Tortora, Giampaolo , Braud, Filippo de, Lonardi, Sara , Lin, E., Babiker, Hani, Lin, Bruce, Martín, Andrés Muñoz, Bridgewater, J, Knox, J J, Scott-Brown, Martin , Veronese, Luisa, Ioannidis, Sonia, Gilmartin, Aidan, Janik, John E., Guo, Yufei, Furuse, Junji , Ioka, Tatsuya , Rimassa, Lorenza , Braud, Filippo de , Bekaii-Saab, Tanios S , Melisi, Davide , Tran, Nguyen , Tortora, Giampaolo , De Braud, Filippo , Lonardi, Sara , Babiker, Hani , Fornaro, Lorenzo , Muñoz Martín, Andrés , Bridgewater, John , Knox, Jennifer J , De Vos-Geelen, Judith , Scott-Brown, Martin , Furuse, Junji , Rimassa, Lorenza , Vogel, Arndt , Frödin, Jan‐Erik , Lin, Bruce, Fornaro, Lorenzo , Knox, Jennifer J. , Veronese, Maria Luisa, Gilmartin, Aidan G., Janik, John E.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | June 1, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 2187-2197

10.1200/jco-26-00788 Get It

PURPOSE Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare cancer associated with poor prognosis. Pemigatinib was the first FGFR1-3 inhibitor approved for second-line therapy and beyond, on the basis of the phase II FIGHT-202 trial. Here, we assess efficacy and safety of first-line pemigatinib. METHODS FIGHT-302 is a phase III, randomized, global trial evaluating pemigatinib as first-line therapy (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03656536 ). Adults with advanced cholangiocarcinoma with FGFR2 rearrangement were randomized 1:1 to receive pemigatinib (13.5 mg once daily) or chemotherapy (1,000 mg/m 2 gemcitabine plus 25 mg/m 2 cisplatin once per day on days 1 and 8 of every 3-week cycle for ≤8 cycles) and were stratified by prior receipt of chemotherapy, geographic region, and tumor burden. Pemigatinib crossover was allowed for patients progressing on chemotherapy. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary efficacy, safety, and exploratory end points were also analyzed. RESULTS Overall, 4,563 patients were prescreened, 196 were screened, and 167 randomly assigned to receive pemigatinib (n = 83) or chemotherapy (n = 84) before early closure of the study because of a change in standard of care. The median PFS was 8.3 months in the pemigatinib group versus 6.8 months in the chemotherapy group (hazard ratio, 0.58 [95% CI, 0.39 to 0.87]; nominal P = .0078); objective response rate was 47% versus 15%, and the median duration of response was 14.2 versus 6.3 months. Median overall survival was similar (24.4 v 25.0 months, respectively). In the crossover group (n = 42, second-line pemigatinib), the median PFS was 8.1 months. Safety was consistent with the known profile of pemigatinib. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this was the largest, first-line, randomized, phase III trial of a targeted therapy for advanced FGFR2- rearranged cholangiocarcinoma. Pemigatinib demonstrated prolonged median PFS compared with chemotherapy, with no new safety findings.
Bintrafusp alfa and chemotherapy as first-line treatment in biliary tract cancer: A randomized phase 2/3 trial
Oh, Do‐Youn , Lee, Choong‐kun , Rojas, Carlos, Hsu, Chih‐Hung , Shen, Lin , Furuse, Junji , Lee, Sunyoung S. , Moehler, Markus, Audhuy, François, Osada, Motonobu, Ikeda, Masafumi , Kim, Jin Won , Furuse, Junji , Park, Joon Oh , Borad, Mitesh J. , Braud, Filippo de , Bridgewater, John , Sato, Masashi , Yoo, Changhoon

Hepatology | June 14, 2024 | Volume: 81 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 823-836

10.1097/hep.0000000000000965 Get It

Background and Aims: We compared the safety and efficacy of bintrafusp alfa (BA) in combination with gemcitabine+cisplatin (GemCis), to those of GemCis alone, in patients with biliary tract cancer. Approach and Results: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, adaptive design phase 2/3 trial (NCT04066491) included adults who are treatment-naive with locally advanced/metastatic biliary tract cancer. Patients (N = 297) were randomized to receive an IV infusion of BA (2400 mg once/3 wk) plus GemCis (gemcitabine 1000 mg/m 2 +cisplatin 25 mg/m 2 on days 1 and 8/3 wk; 8 cycles) (BA group, n = 148) or placebo+GemCis (placebo group, n = 149). The primary end point was overall survival (OS). For adaptation analysis (phase 2-phase 3; data cutoff: May 20, 2021), efficacy was assessed in the first 150 patients who were antibiotic-naive when 80 progression-free survival events had occurred and ≥ 19 weeks of follow-up had been completed (BA, n = 73; placebo, n = 77). Median OS (95% CI) for the BA (11.5 mo [9.3–not estimable]) and placebo (11.5 mo [10.0–not estimable]) groups was comparable (hazard ration 1.23 [95% CI 0.66–2.28]; p = 0.7394); OS data maturity was 27.2% (41 events/151 patients). The most common grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse event was anemia (BA, 26.0%; placebo, 22.8%). Bleeding adverse events were reported more frequently in the BA group (28.8%) versus the placebo group (7.4%). Deaths within 60 days of the first dose were reported in 7.5% and 1.3% of patients in the BA and placebo groups, respectively. Conclusions: BA+GemCis did not provide a clinically meaningful benefit compared with GemCis alone as first-line treatment for biliary tract cancer, and the study was discontinued early (terminated: August 20, 2021).
Phase 2 trial of bintrafusp alfa as second-line therapy for patients with locally advanced/metastatic biliary tract cancers
Javle, Milind , Mata, Helena Verdaguer, Braud, Filippo de , Trojan, Jörg , Ueno, Makoto, Lee, Choong‐kun , Cubillo, Antonio , Furuse, Junji , Azad, Nilofer S. , Vugmeyster, Yulia , Machl, Andreas, Bajars, Marcis, Oh, Do‐Youn , De Braud, Filippo , Yoo, Changhoon , Raoul, Jean‐Luc , Kim, Jin Won , Ueno, Makoto , Hijioka, Susumu , Furuse, Junji , Sato, Masashi , Bridgewater, John , Borad, Mitesh J.

Hepatology | March 31, 2023 | Volume: 78 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 758-770

10.1097/hep.0000000000000365 Get It

Background and Aims: Biliary tract cancers are rare, heterogeneous cancers with poor prognoses. Bintrafusp alfa, a first-in-class bifunctional fusion protein composed of the extracellular domain of TGF-βRII (a TGF-β “trap”) fused to a human IgG1 monoclonal antibody blocking programmed death ligand 1, was evaluated in patients with locally advanced/metastatic chemorefractory biliary tract cancers. Approach and Results: This multicenter, single-arm, open-label, phase 2 study (NCT03833661) enrolled adults with locally advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer that was intolerant to or had failed first-line systemic platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients received 1200 mg bintrafusp alfa intravenously Q2W. The primary endpoint was confirmed objective response according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1 assessed by IRC. Secondary endpoints included duration of response, durable response rate, safety, progression-free survival, and overall survival. Between March 2019 and January 2020, 159 patients were enrolled. Median follow-up was 16.1 (range, 0.0–19.3) months; 17 patients (10.7%; 95% CI: 6.4%–16.6%) achieved an objective response. Median duration of response was 10.0 (range, 1.9–15.7) months; 10 patients (6.3%; 95% CI: 3.1%–11.3%) had a durable response (≥6 mo). Median progression-free survival was 1.8 months (95% CI: 1.7–1.8 mo); median overall survival was 7.6 months (95% CI: 5.8–9.7 mo). Overall survival rates were 57.9% (6 mo) and 38.8% (12 mo). Grade ≥3 adverse events occurred in 26.4% of patients, including one treatment-related death (hepatic failure). Frequent grade ≥3 adverse events included anemia (3.8%), pruritus (1.9%), and increased alanine aminotransferase (1.9%). Conclusions: Although this study did not meet its prespecified primary endpoint, bintrafusp alfa demonstrated clinical activity as second-line treatment in this hard-to-treat cancer, with durable responses and a manageable safety profile.
Updated results of the FOENIX-CCA2 trial: Efficacy and safety of futibatinib in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) harboring FGFR2 fusions/rearrangements.
Morizane, Chigusa, Kelley, Robin Kate , Furuse, Junji , Chang, Heung-Moon, Masuda, Kunihiro , Ahn, Daniel H. , Li, Kate , Goyal, Lipika , Meric‐Bernstam, Funda , Hollebecque, Antoine , Morizane, Chigusa , Valle, Juan W. , Karasic, Thomas Benjamin , Abrams, Thomas A. , Cassier, Philippe A. , Furuse, Junji , Klümpen, Heinz‐Josef , Chen, Li‐Tzong , Komatsu, Yoshito , Benhadji, Karim A. , Wacheck, Volker , Bridgewater, John

Journal of Clinical Oncology | June 6, 2022 | Volume: 40 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 4009-4009

10.1200/jco.2022.40.16_suppl.4009 Get It

4009 Background: Survival outcomes are historically poor in patients (pts) with advanced/metastatic iCCA, with median overall survival (mOS) times of approximately 1 year with first-line gemcitabine plus cisplatin and approximately 6 months with second-line chemotherapy. Futibatinib, a highly selective, irreversible FGFR1–4 inhibitor, demonstrated efficacy with durable responses in pts with iCCA harboring FGFR2 fusion/rearrangements in the pivotal FOENIX-CCA2 phase 2 study (NCT02052778). At the primary analysis of this trial (data cutoff: October 1, 2020), an objective response rate (ORR) of 41.7% was observed, with a median duration of response (mDOR) of 9.7 mo. Here, we report updated efficacy (including mature OS data) and safety data from the final analysis with an additional 8 mo of follow-up. Methods: FOENIX-CCA2 was a single-arm phase 2 study that enrolled pts with advanced/metastatic iCCA with FGFR2 fusion/rearrangement and progressive disease (PD) after ≥1 prior treatment (tx; including gemcitabine plus platinum-based chemotherapy). Pts received futibatinib 20 mg once daily until PD/intolerability. The primary endpoint was ORR per RECIST v1.1 by independent central review. Secondary endpoints were DOR, disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), OS, safety, and patient-reported outcomes. Results: At the time of the final data cutoff (May 29, 2021), median follow-up was 25.0 mo, and 96/103 pts (93%) had discontinued tx. The median number of tx cycles was 13.0 for a median tx duration of 9.1 mo. The confirmed ORR was 41.7% (43/103) and thereby the same as of the primary analysis, as was the DCR (at 82.5%). The ORR was consistent across pt subgroups. The mDOR was 9.5 mo, and 74% of responses lasted ≥6 mo. mPFS was 8.9 mo, with a 12-mo PFS rate of 35.4%. Mature mOS was 20.0 mo, with a 12-mo OS rate of 73.1% . No new safety signals were identified. Common tx-related adverse events (TRAEs) included hyperphosphatemia (85%), alopecia (33%), dry mouth (30%), diarrhea (28%), dry skin (27%), and fatigue (25%). TRAEs resulted in tx discontinuation in 4 pts (4%). No tx-related deaths occurred. Quality of life was maintained from baseline to tx cycle 13. Conclusions: Findings from the final analysis of FOENIX-CCA2 confirm the results of the primary analysis and reinforce the durable efficacy and continued tolerability of futibatinib in previously treated pts with advanced/metastatic iCCA harboring FGFR2 fusion/rearrangements. Mature OS data were consistent with data from the primary analysis and far exceed historical data in this patient population. Clinical trial information: NCT02052778.
Phase 3 randomized, open-label, multicenter study of tremelimumab (T) and durvalumab (D) as first-line therapy in patients (pts) with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC): HIMALAYA.
Kelley, Robin Kate , Furuse, Junji , Toni, Enrico N. De , Vasilyev, Alexander, Heurgué, Alexandra , Mody, Kabir , Thungappa, Satheesh Chiradoni, Negro, Alejandra , Abou‐Alfa, Ghassan K. , Chan, Stephen L. , Kudo, Masatoshi , Lau, George , Furuse, Junji , Sukeepaisarnjaroen, Wattana , Kang, Yoon‐Koo , Dao, Tu Van , Rimassa, Lorenza , Breder, Valeriy Vladimirovich , Tam, Vincent C. , He, Philip , Sangro, Bruno

Journal of Clinical Oncology | January 19, 2022 | Volume: 40 | Issue: 4_suppl | Pages: 379-379

10.1200/jco.2022.40.4_suppl.379 Get It

379 Background: A single priming dose of T (anti-CTLA-4) added to D (anti-PD-L1) in the STRIDE (Single T Regular Interval D) regimen, formerly T300+D, showed encouraging clinical activity and limited toxicity in a phase 2 uHCC study (Study 22, NCT02519348), suggesting single exposure to T is sufficient to improve upon D activity. HIMALAYA (NCT03298451) evaluated the efficacy and safety of STRIDE or D vs sorafenib (S) in uHCC. Methods: HIMALAYA is an open-label, multicenter, phase 3 study, in which pts with uHCC and no prior systemic therapy were initially randomized to STRIDE (T 300 mg plus D 1500 mg [one dose] plus D 1500 mg every 4 weeks [Q4W]), D (1500 mg Q4W), S (400 mg twice daily), or T 75 mg Q4W (4 doses) plus D 1500 mg Q4W (T75+D). Recruitment to T75+D ceased after a planned analysis of Study 22 showed T75+D did not meaningfully differ from D. The primary objective was overall survival (OS) for STRIDE vs S. The secondary objective was OS noninferiority (NI) of D to S (NI margin: 1.08). Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR; RECIST v.1.1), duration of response (DoR), and safety. Results: In total, 1171 pts were randomized to STRIDE (N=393), D (N=389), or S (N=389). At data cutoff (DCO), the primary objective was met: OS was significantly improved for STRIDE vs S (hazard ratio [HR], 0.78; 96% confidence interval [CI], 0.65–0.92; p=0.0035; Table). D met the objective of OS NI to S (HR, 0.86; 96% CI, 0.73–1.03). ORRs were higher for STRIDE (20.1%) and D (17.0%) than for S (5.1%). No new safety signals were identified. Grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred in 25.8% (STRIDE), 12.9% (D), and 36.9% (S) of pts. Grade 3/4 hepatic TRAEs occurred in 5.9% (STRIDE), 5.2% (D), and 4.5% (S) of pts. No TRAE of esophageal varices hemorrhage occurred. Rates of TRAEs leading to discontinuation were 8.2% (STRIDE), 4.1% (D), and 11.0% (S). Conclusions: HIMALAYA was the first large phase 3 trial with a diverse, representative uHCC population and extensive long-term follow-up to assess both mono- and combination immunotherapy. D was noninferior to S with favorable safety. The combination of a single priming dose of T plus D in STRIDE displayed superior efficacy and a favorable benefit-risk profile vs S. STRIDE is a proposed, novel, first-line standard of care systemic therapy for uHCC. Clinical trial information: NCT03298451. [Table: see text]
Abstract CT010: Primary results of phase 2 FOENIX-CCA2: The irreversible FGFR1-4 inhibitor futibatinib in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) with FGFR2 fusions/rearrangements
Morizane, Chigusa , Kelley, Robin Kate , Furuse, Junji , Chang, Heung-Moon, Masuda, Kunihiro , Ahn, Daniel H. , He, Yaohua, Soni, Nital, Goyal, Lipika , Meric‐Bernstam, Funda , Hollebecque, Antoine , Valle, Juan W. , Karasic, Thomas Benjamin , Abrams, Thomas A. , Cassier, Philippe A. , Furuse, Junji , Klümpen, Heinz‐Josef , Chen, Li‐Tzong , Komatsu, Yoshito , Benhadji, Karim A. , Bridgewater, John

Cancer Research | July 1, 2021 | Volume: 81 | Issue: 13_Supplement | Pages: CT010-CT010

10.1158/1538-7445.am2021-ct010 Get It

Abstract Background FGFR2 fusions occur in ~15% of patients (pts) with iCCA, a rare cancer with a poor prognosis. Futibatinib, a highly selective, irreversible FGFR1-4 inhibitor, has shown activity across tumor types, including iCCA, in a phase 1 study. The pivotal phase 2 FOENIX-CCA2 trial (NCT02052778) is evaluating futibatinib in iCCA harboring FGFR2 fusions/rearrangements. Here, we report the first efficacy, safety, and quality of life (QoL) data for the complete FOENIX-CCA2 population. Methods Eligible pts had unresectable/metastatic iCCA with an FGFR2 fusion/rearrangement and progressive disease (PD) after ≥1 prior treatment (tx; excluding FGFR inhibitors). Pts received futibatinib 20 mg QD until PD/intolerability. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) per RECIST v1.1 by independent central review (target ORR: 20%). Secondary endpoints included duration of response (DOR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), safety, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Subgroup analyses were performed by pt characteristic and molecular alteration. Results Among 103 pts (56% female), 53% had received ≥2 prior tx. FGFR2 fusions were present in 78% (23% had FGFR2-BICC1 fusions) and FGFR2 rearrangements in 22%. At data cutoff (Oct 1, 2020), 72 pts (70%) had discontinued tx. The study met its primary objective with a confirmed ORR of 41.7% (43/103). Responses were durable, with a median (m) DOR of 9.7 mo and 72% of responses ≥6 mo. DCR was 82.5%. mPFS was 9.0 mo; mOS was 21.7 mo, with a 12-mo OS rate of 72%. ORR was consistent across pt demographic subgroups (≥65 y: 65.2%; 2 prior tx: 38.7%). Common tx-related AEs (TRAEs) were hyperphosphatemia (85%), alopecia (33%), and dry mouth (30%). The most frequent grade 3 TRAE, hyperphosphatemia (30%), resolved with adequate management (median 7 d). Retinal disorders (all grade 1-2) were reported in 8% of pts. TRAEs were managed with dosing interruptions (50%)/reductions (54%); 2 pts discontinued tx due to TRAEs. No tx-related deaths occurred. ORRs were consistent in pts with dosing interruptions (40.2%) or reductions (46.8%). PROs were stable through 11.0 mo of tx. In exploratory biomarker analyses, ORR was consistent in pts with FGFR2 fusions (43.8%) and other FGFR2 rearrangements (34.8%) and in pts with BICC1 (41.7%) and non-BICC1 (44.6%) fusion partners. Notably, no obvious differences in ORR were observed in pts with co-occurring genetic alterations, including TP53 comutations (ORR, 38.5% [5/13]). Additional biomarker data will be presented. Conclusions Futibatinib resulted in frequent, durable objective responses in pts with iCCA harboring FGFR2 fusion/rearrangements, regardless of pt baseline characteristic, molecular alteration, or comutation. AEs were manageable with dosing modifications that did not impact response. QoL was maintained. Citation Format: Lipika Goyal, Funda Meric-Bernstam, Antoine Hollebecque, Chigusa Morizane, Juan W. Valle, Thomas B. Karasic, Thomas A. Abrams, Robin Kate Kelley, Philippe Cassier, Junji Furuse, Heinz-Josef Klümpen, Heung-Moon Chang, Li-Tzong Chen, Yoshito Komatsu, Kunihiro Masuda, Daniel Ahn, Yaohua He, Nital Soni, Karim A. Benhadji, John A. Bridgewater. Primary results of phase 2 FOENIX-CCA2: The irreversible FGFR1-4 inhibitor futibatinib in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) with FGFR2 fusions/rearrangements [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr CT010.
Gender representation in authorship in later-phase systemic clinical trials in biliary tract cancer (BTC).
Goldstein, David, Shroff, Rachna T. , Moehler, Markus, Kelley, Robin Kate , Furuse, Junji , Morizane, Chigusa , Hubner, Richard , McNamara, Mairead Geraldine , Bridgewater, John , Goyal, Lipika , Lowery, Maeve A. , Bekaii‐Saab, Tanios , Furuse, Junji , Rimassa, Lorenza , Lamarca, Angela , Knox, Jennifer J. , Valle, Juan W.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | January 22, 2021 | Volume: 39 | Issue: 3_suppl | Pages: 348-348

10.1200/jco.2021.39.3_suppl.348 Get It

348 Background: The proportion of females in medicine is increasing (approx. 50% in medical school/workforce), but disparities in female authorship in oncology research publications exist; female corresponding authorship reportedly ranges from 7.2-39.1% in oncology clinical trials (Ludmir et al 2019). This study aimed to describe and assess factors associated with female first and senior authorship in later phase systemic clinical trials in BTC and to identify any changes over time. Methods: Embase/Medline were used to identify final primary trial publications in BTC (2000-2020) (excluding phase I (PI) (expected to move to later phase), mixed tumour site trials, reviews, editorials and trial-in-progress publications). Gender was determined by inspection of names, google search and author communication. Chi-square tests and log regression were used to assess factors associated with female first and senior authorship, including changes over time (STATA16). Results: Of 501 publications, 163 met inclusion criteria; 80% single-arm PII and 15% and 5% randomised PII and PIII respectively; 73% enrolled ≤50 patients. Tumour primary sites were all BTC: 86%, cholangiocarcinoma: 8%, gallbladder cancer: 6%; 80% involved chemotherapy, 13% targeted therapy and 5% localised/systemic combinations; 65% were in first-line (1L) advanced setting, 17% post 1L, 13% advanced non-specified and 5% neo-adjuvant/adjuvant. Forty-eight percent received industry funding and 65% met primary end-point. Sixty-four percent were published post ABC-02 (Valle et al 2010). Publication impact factor (IF) was ≤5 in 50% and >20 in 12%. Median number of authors in all publications was 11. Geographic location of all first and senior authors were Asia (42%/42%), Europe (29%/29%), USA (24%/22%) and other (4%/6%), respectively. Median individual trial female author representation was 25%; there were no female authors in 12% of trials. Overall, female first and senior author representation was 21% and 11%, respectively. Median position of first female author was second. In publications with IF ≤20 and >20, there were 22% and 16% female first and 13% and 0% female senior authors, respectively. The phase of trial, journal IF, industry funding, or whether met primary end-point did not impact female first or senior author representation (all P>.05). There were more female senior authors associated with “other” geographic locations (40% in 10 trials) (P=.016) vs Asia (7%), Europe (8%) and USA (14%). There were no significant changes in female first or senior author representation over time (‘00-05: 21%/18%, ‘06-10: 27%/5%, ‘11-15: 15%/15%, ‘16-20: 22%/9%, P=.738, and P=.508 respectively). Conclusions: Female first and senior author representation in later phase systemic clinical trial publications in BTC is low and has not changed significantly over time. The underlying reasons for this imbalance need to be better understood and addressed.