Dr. Grothey on the Potential Utility of TAS-102/Bevacizumab in Metastatic CRC

Axel Grothey, MD, medical oncologist and director of Gastrointestinal Cancer Research at West Cancer Center and Research Institute, discusses the potential utility of trifluridine/tipiracil (TAS-102; Lonsurf) in combination with bevacizumab (Avastin) in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Currently, TAS-102 is reserved for single-agent use in the third-line setting for patients with mCRC, says Grothey. However, TAS-102 in combination with bevacizumab has reported clinical benefit for patients with mCRC in 2 randomized studies, Grothey explains.

Data from a randomized phase 2 Danish study (EudraCT, 2016-005241-23) demonstrated an improvement in progression-free survival and a tolerable safety profile with TAS-102 plus bevacizumab compared with TAS-102 alone in patients with mCRC who were refractory to chemotherapy.

Additionally, findings from the final analysis of the phase 2 TASCO1 trial, which were presented during the 2021 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, revealed an improvement in overall survival with TAS-102 plus bevacizumab vs capecitabine plus bevacizumab when used as frontline therapy for patients with unresectable mCRC who are not eligible for standard chemotherapy, concludes Grothey.