Real-world evidence of fruquintinib (Fruq) efficacy after regorafenib (Rego) and trifluridine–tipiracil (TAS-102) in refractory metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).
e23317 Background: mCRC poses significant challenges, particularly in patients (pts) who progress after multiple lines of therapy. Limited effective treatment options are available in the advanced chemotherapy-refractory setting. The FRESCO-2 trial demonstrated that Fruq, a selective VEGFR inhibitor, provides meaningful overall survival (OS) benefit in pts with refractory mCRC. However, there is limited real-world evidence regarding Fruq's efficacy in patients treated after approved third-line therapies. Methods: This retrospective, multi-site cohort study evaluated outcomes in 33 mCRC pts who received Fruq following treatment with Rego and/or TAS-102 with or without bevacizumab. Patients were stratified into two groups: Fruq as a second late-line therapy, after either Rego or TAS-102, (27 patients) and as a third late-line therapy, after both Rego and TAS-102, (6 patients). Overall survival (OS) was calculated from Fruq initiation to death, while time to treatment discontinuation (TTD) was defined as the duration from Fruq initiation to cessation for any reason, including death. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method to estimate median survival, and the comparison between groups were done using the log-rank test. Results: Among the 33 pts, the median age was 58 years (range: 35–84), with 57.6% being male. Hepatic metastases were present in 78.8%, and 60.6% had left-sided primary tumors. RAS mutations were observed in 63.6%, and 97% were BRAF wild-type. Median OS was significantly longer in pts who received Fruq as a second late-line therapy (7.2 months) compared to those receiving it as a third late-line therapy (4.0 months) (p = 0.039). Median TTD was similar between groups (2.4 vs. 2.8 months, p = 0.916). Conclusions: This real-world analysis highlights the clinical benefit of Fruquintinib in mCRC patients following treatment with Regorafenib and/or TAS-102. The data suggest flexibility in treatment choices, with Fruquintinib showing improved OS when used earlier in the treatment sequence. These findings underscore the importance of exploring optimal sequencing strategies and evaluating Fruquintinib as a potential option before other approved agents in the refractory setting. Clinical outcomes with fruquintinib as second vs. third late-line therapy. Fruq as Second Late-Line Fruq as Third Late-Line p-value Median OS 7.2 months 4 months 0.039 Median TTD 2.4 months 2.8 months 0.916 OS: Overall Survival; TTD: Time to Treatment discontinuation.
Overall survival based on sequencing of fruquintinib, regorafenib, and TAS-102 with or without bevacizumab in treatment-refractory metastatic colorectal cancer.
e15527 Background: Fruquintinib, regorafenib, and trifluridine-tipiracil (TAS-102) alone or in combination with bevacizumab (bev) are approved for use in treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) following progression on or intolerance to fluoropyrimidine-based therapy with irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and targeted agents if indicated. All three medications have established overall survival (OS) benefit when used third line or later; however, there is a paucity of literature and guideline recommendations regarding optimal sequencing of these agents. The aim of this study was to investigate OS in patients (pts) with mCRC based on the sequencing of these three “late-line” treatments. Methods: This retrospective, multi-site cohort study evaluated OS in pts with mCRC who received fruquintinib possibly sequenced with regorafenib and/or TAS-102 +/- bev between 11/01/2023 and 11/19/2024. Pts prescribed fruquintinib (N = 64) were identified utilizing SlicerDicer within EPIC. Pts were excluded from final analysis for incomplete information, non-mCRC diagnosis, or failure to initiate fruquintinib (N = 21). OS was defined as the time from initiation of first late-line therapy to death from any cause. Cox regression models were utilized for multivariable adjustment. P-values were calculated using Chi-Square for categorical variables and Kruskal-Wallis for continuous variables. Results: Forty-three pts were included in the final analysis. The median age at initiation of first late-line therapy was 56 years old. Most pts had left-sided primary tumors (60.5%) and liver metastases (79.1%). RAS and BRAF V600E mutations occurred in 65.1% and 4.7% of pts, respectively, and 83.7% of pts had received prior bev therapy. All pts were pMMR/MSI-S. TAS-102 +/- bev was the most common first late-line agent utilized (72.1%), and fruquintinib the most common second late-line agent (73%). Regorafenib was prescribed in only 12 pts (27.9%) and used primarily as a second or third late-line option. OS was not statistically different based on initial late-line therapy chosen (median OS 19.2 months for TAS-102 +/- bev and not estimable for fruquintinib and regorafenib, p = 0.058). This result was maintained on multivariate analysis after adjusting for age, liver metastases, and RAS mutation status. However, fruquintinib sequenced after TAS-102 +/- bev demonstrated improved OS (median 20.5 months) compared to fruquintinib as first or last late-line therapy (median not estimable vs. 15.8 months, p = 0.049). Conclusions: Fruquintinib sequenced after TAS-102 +/- bev may confer an OS advantage in the treatment of mCRC. However, prospective studies evaluating sequencing strategies representative of standard prescribing patterns are still needed to firmly establish optimal sequencing of fruquintinib, regorafenib, and TAS-102-based therapy.
Overcoming Financial and Access Barriers in Global Cancer Care With Low-Dose Immunotherapy: A Systematic Review
PURPOSE Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have significantly improved outcomes in various malignancies. However, the high cost of these therapies limits access for much of the global population. This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy of low-dose ICIs compared with standard doses in different malignancies, addressing financial and access barriers in global cancer care. METHODS We conducted a systematic review of studies comparing the efficacy of low-dose versus standard-dose ICI regimens in advanced solid tumors. A comprehensive search was performed across multiple electronic databases, including retrospective and prospective studies. Excluded were animal studies, editorials, conference papers, book chapters, and other immunotherapy modalities. Outcomes assessed included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival, and objective response rate. Results were summarized descriptively due to study heterogeneity. RESULTS From 1,010 screened articles, four studies with 435 Asian patients were included, covering a variety of solid tumors. All included studies were with a low quality of evidence and a high risk of bias due to retrospective design. Two studies used weight-based dosing (pembrolizumab <2 mg/kg and nivolumab <2.15 mg/kg), showing similar OS to standard dosing in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and renal cell carcinoma, respectively. Flat dose regimens in two studies (nivolumab 20 mg or 100 mg once every 3 weeks and pembrolizumab 100 mg once every 3 weeks) also demonstrated comparable OS in NSCLC. CONCLUSION Low-dose ICIs may offer equivalent clinical benefits to standard dosing, potentially reducing costs and expanding access in developing countries. Although awaiting more representative randomized clinical trials, weight-based ICI regimens could be a viable alternative in low- and middle-income countries.