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Published in: Targeted Oncology 2/2024

Open Access 01-03-2024 | Bevacizumab | Original Research Article

A Phase II Study of FOLFIRI Plus Ziv-Aflibercept After Trifluridine/Tipiracil Plus Bevacizumab in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: WJOG 11018G

Authors: Toshihiko Matsumoto, Yoshiyuki Yamamoto, Masahito Kotaka, Toshiki Masuishi, Yasushi Tsuji, Hirokazu Shoji, Kenro Hirata, Takao Tsuduki, Akitaka Makiyama, Naoki Izawa, Naoki Takahashi, Masahiro Tsuda, Hisateru Yasui, Takashi Ohta, Yosuke Kito, Satoshi Otsu, Shuichi Hironaka, Kentaro Yamazaki, Narikazu Boku, Ichinosuke Hyodo, Kenichi Yoshimura, Kei Muro

Published in: Targeted Oncology | Issue 2/2024

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Abstract

Background

Non-inferiority of trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) plus bevacizumab (BEV) to irinotecan/fluoropyrimidine plus BEV in metastatic colorectal cancer was investigated in the phase III TRUSTY study, and we conducted a phase II study of FOLFIRI (5-FU+leucovorin+irinotecan) plus zib-aflibercept (AFL) after FTD/TPI plus BEV. However, the TRUSTY study failed during the recruitment of our patients.

Objective

We present the findings of a phase II study on the efficacy of FOLFIRI plus zib-aflibercept (AFL) after FTD/TPI plus BEV, including clinical results with plasma biomarker analyses.

Methods

This was a multicenter, single-arm, phase II study in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer refractory or intolerant to oxaliplatin, fluoropyrimidine, BEV, and FTD/TPI. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival. Fifteen plasma angiogenesis-associated biomarkers were analyzed using a Luminex® multiplex assay U-kit.

Results

Between January 2020 and May 2022, 26 patients (median age, 68 years) from 15 sites were enrolled. The median progression-free survival was 4.9 months (85% confidence interval, 3.4 month–not estimated). The overall response and disease control rates were 8% and 62%, respectively. The median levels of vascular endothelial growth factor-A and placental growth factor, both targets of AFL, were below the measurable limit of 30 pg/mL and 16 pg/mL, respectively. Patients were divided into two groups at the median levels of baseline biomarkers. The progression-free survival did not differ between high and low expressers of placental growth factor (p = 0.7), while it tended to be shorter in those with high levels of osteopontin (p = 0.05), angiopoietin-2 (p = 0.07), and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (p = 0.1).

Conclusions

This study did not meet the primary endpoint. Hence, FOLFIRI plus AFL should not be used after FTD/TPI plus BEV for metastatic colorectal cancer. Further studies are needed to determine factors not targeted by AFL that may affect the efficacy of the treatment.

Clinical Trial Registration

jRCTs041190100.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
A Phase II Study of FOLFIRI Plus Ziv-Aflibercept After Trifluridine/Tipiracil Plus Bevacizumab in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: WJOG 11018G
Authors
Toshihiko Matsumoto
Yoshiyuki Yamamoto
Masahito Kotaka
Toshiki Masuishi
Yasushi Tsuji
Hirokazu Shoji
Kenro Hirata
Takao Tsuduki
Akitaka Makiyama
Naoki Izawa
Naoki Takahashi
Masahiro Tsuda
Hisateru Yasui
Takashi Ohta
Yosuke Kito
Satoshi Otsu
Shuichi Hironaka
Kentaro Yamazaki
Narikazu Boku
Ichinosuke Hyodo
Kenichi Yoshimura
Kei Muro
Publication date
01-03-2024
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Targeted Oncology / Issue 2/2024
Print ISSN: 1776-2596
Electronic ISSN: 1776-260X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11523-024-01043-2

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