Dr. Abrams on Next Steps for Cabozantinib/Atezolizumab Combo in MSS/MMRp CRC

Thomas A. Abrams, MD, senior physician, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, assistant professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School, discusses the next steps for exploration of cabozantinib (Cabometyx) plus atezolizumab (Tecentriq) in the treatment of microsatellite stable (MSS) and mismatch repair proficient (MMRp) colorectal cancer (CRC).

The phase 1/2 COSMIC-021 (NCT03170960) trial examined the safety and efficacy of cabozantinib plus atezolizumab across multiple solid tumor types, including CRC.

While there are no immediate ramifications of the study, it does set the stage for the investigation of patients with RAS wild-type CRC who have already progressed on at least 1 line of therapy, Abrams says. A potential phase 2 trial could examine outcomes generated by the cabozantinib plus atezolizumab combination in this specific patient population, Abrams explains.

If this combination continues to elicit high levels of efficacy, designing a phase 3 study would be the next logical step, Abrams continues. However, conducting a phase 3 trial remains a long-term goal, Abrams concludes.