Redefine Expectations in 3L mCRC

LONSURF + bevacizumab was studied in the SUNLIGHT trial

SUNLIGHT is the first and only phase 3 study with an active control that demonstrated statistically significant efficacy and proven safety in 3L mCRC1‍-‍8

3L=3rd-line.

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SUNLIGHT was an open-label, randomized, phase 3 study that investigated the efficacy and safety of LONSURF in combination with bevacizumab compared with single‍-‍agent LONSURF in patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).1,2

Key inclusion criteria1

  • Histologically confirmed unresectable adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum
  • Disease progression or intolerance
  • No more than 2 previous chemotherapy regimens*
    • Previous treatment must have included a fluoropyrimidine, irinotecan, oxaliplatin, an anti‑VEGF monoclonal antibody (not necessarily bevacizumab), or an anti‑EGFR monoclonal antibody (for patients with RAS wild-type disease)
  • Known RAS status
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) of 0-1

1:1 Randomization1,2

FTD-TPI + bevacizumab (n=246)

FTD-TPI administered orally, BID at a starting dose of 35 mg/m2 of BSA on days 1‍-‍5 and on days 8‍-‍12 every 28 days

Bevacizumab administered intravenously at a dose of 5 mg/kg of body weight on days 1 and 15

FTD-TPI (n=246)

FTD-TPI administered orally, BID at a starting dose of 35 mg/m2 of BSA on days 1‍-‍5 and on days 8‍-‍12 every 28 days

Primary endpoint: Overall survival (OS)

Key secondary endpoints: Progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), time to worsening of ECOG PS score from 0 or 1 to 2 or more, adverse reactions (ARs)

  • The 28-day cycle continued until disease progression, unacceptable toxic effects, or consent was withdrawn
  • Follow-up was every 8 weeks for radiologic progression and/or survival status

BID=twice daily; BSA=body surface area; EGFR=epidermal growth factor receptor.

*The treatment could have included neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy if disease had recurred during treatment or within 6 months after the last administration of neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy.1

Key baseline characteristics1

Characteristic LONSURF + bevacizumab (n=246) LONSURF (n=246)
Age Median, years (range) 62 (20-84) 64 (24-90)
<65 years, n (%) 146 (59) 129 (52)
≥65 years, n (%) 100 (41) 117 (48)
Sex, n (%) Male 122 (50) 134 (55)
Race or ethnic group, n (%) White 215 (87) 220 (89)
Black 4 (2) 3 (1)
Asian 0 1 (<1)
American Indian or Alaska Native 1 (<1) 0
Other 8 (3) 5 (2)
Unknown 18 (7) 17 (7)
Region, n (%) European Union 158 (64) 157 (64)
North America 8 (3) 8 (3)
Rest of the world 80 (33) 81 (33)
Location of primary tumor, n (%) Right side 62 (25) 77 (31)
Left side 184 (75) 169 (69)
Time from diagnosis of first
metastasis to randomization,a
n (%)
<18 months 104 (42) 105 (43)
≥18 months 142 (58) 141 (57)
RAS status,a n (%) Mutant 171 (70) 170 (69)
Wild-type 75 (31) 76 (31)
Prior treatment with anti‑VEGF
monoclonal antibody (mainly
bevacizumab), n (%)
Yes 178 (72) 176 (72)
ECOG PS, n (%) 0 119 (48) 106 (43)
1 127 (52) 139 (57)
2 0 1 (<1)b

aData were determined from the interactive web-based response system used for randomization.

bThe patient had an ECOG PS of 1 at randomization, but was assessed as having a score of 2 on day 1 of the first cycle of treatment.

Redefine extended survival in 3L mCRC

Primary endpoint: Overall Survival (OS) (N=492)1,2

Graph showing increased survival for previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer with LONSURF + bevacizumab versus single-agent LONSURF

OS was defined as the time (in months) from randomization until death.1

HR and P values refer to the entire OS curve, and not any individual timepoint.

aKaplan-Meier estimates.

bThe widths of the confidence intervals have not been adjusted for multiplicity.1

  • 39% reduction in risk of mortality with LONSURF + bevacizumab vs single‍-‍agent LONSURF2
  • 6-month OS with LONSURF + bevacizumab was 77% vs 61% for single‍-‍agent LONSURF1
  • 12-month OS with LONSURF + bevacizumab was 43% vs 30% for single‍-‍agent LONSURF1
  • 18-month OS with LONSURF + bevacizumab was 28% vs 15% for single‍-‍agent LONSURF9

CI=confidence interval; HR=hazard ratio; mOS=median OS.

Within individual subgroups, it is difficult to apply statistical weight due to potential multiplicity issues, so these results should be interpreted with caution and no conclusions should be drawn.

MMR=mismatch repair; MSI=microsatellite instability; NE=not evaluable.

Results were consistent across all clinically relevant subgroups regardless of age, sex, location of primary disease, number of metastatic sites, RAS mutation status, and prior bevacizumab treatment1

Redefine prolonged PFS in 3L mCRC

Secondary endpoint: Progression-free Survival (PFS) (N=492)1,2

Graph showing the prolonged progression-free survival for previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer with LONSURF + bevacizumab versus single-agent LONSURF

HR and P values refer to the entire PFS curve, and not any individual timepoint.

aKaplan-Meier estimates.

bThe widths of the confidence intervals have not been adjusted for multiplicity.1

  • 56% reduction in risk of progression with LONSURF + bevacizumab vs single‍-‍agent LONSURF2
  • 6-month PFS was 43% in LONSURF + bevacizumab vs 16% for single‍-‍agent LONSURF1
  • 12-month PFS was 16% in LONSURF + bevacizumab vs 1% for single‍-‍agent LONSURF1
  • Just before 18 months, the PFS for both treatment arms went to 01

mPFS=median PFS.

Within individual subgroups, it is difficult to apply statistical weight due to potential multiplicity issues, so these results should be interpreted with caution and no conclusions should be drawn.

MMR=mismatch repair; MSI=microsatellite instability; NE=not evaluable.

Results were consistent across all clinically relevant subgroups regardless of age, sex, location of primary disease, number of metastatic sites, RAS mutation status, and prior bevacizumab treatment1

Time to Worsening of ECOG PS

Secondary endpoint: Median time to worsening to an ECOG PS of ≥2, months1

Chart showing an improved median time to worsening of ECOG PS with LONSURF + bevacizumab versus single-agent LONSURF

aThe widths of the confidence intervals have not been adjusted for multiplicity.

  • LONSURF + bevacizumab provided a 46% reduction in risk of worsening to an ECOG PS ≥2 vs single‍-‍agent LONSURF1
    • Since analysis not adjusted for multiplicity, results should be interpreted with caution and conclusions should be limited

ECOG PS=Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status.

Additional results

Additional secondary endpoint: Objective Response Rate (ORR)1

  • Objective response rate was 6.1% in LONSURF + bevacizumab and 1.2% in single‍-‍agent LONSURF
  • ORR was a secondary endpoint that was studied in SUNLIGHT and is not reflected in the full Prescribing Information

Median duration of treatment (months)1

  • Median duration of treatment was 5.0 months in LONSURF + bevacizumab and 2.1 months in single‑agent LONSURF
  • At the time of the analysis, 13% of the patients in LONSURF + bevacizumab and 1.6% of the patients in single‍-‍agent LONSURF were still receiving treatment. The most common reason for treatment discontinuation was disease progression

NCCN Guidelines® in metastatic colorectal cancer

NCCN
Recommended

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) recommend trifluridine and tipiracil (LONSURF) +/- bevacizumab as NCCN Category 2A recommended options for a potential third-line or subsequent treatment in mCRC patients. The trifluridine and tipiracil (LONSURF) + bevacizumab combination is preferred.10,11

Category 2A=based upon lower-level evidence, there is uniform NCCN consensus that the intervention is appropriate.

Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Rectal Cancer V.1.2024. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2024. All rights reserved. Accessed February 5, 2024. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org.

Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Colon Cancer V.1.2024. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2024. All rights reserved. Accessed February 5, 2024. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org.

NCCN makes no warranties of any kind whatsoever regarding their content, use or application and disclaims any responsibility for their application or use in any way.

NCCN=National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

References: 1. Prager GW, Taieb J, Fakih M, et al. Trifluridine‑tipiracil and bevacizumab in refractory metastatic colorectal cancer. N Engl J Med. 2023;388(18):1657-1667. 2. LONSURF [package insert]. Princeton, NJ: Taiho Oncology, Inc.; 2023. 3. Dasari NA, Lonardi S, Garcia-Carbonero R, et al. FRESCO-2: a global phase III multiregional clinical trial (MRCT) evaluating the efficacy and safety of fruquintinib in patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer [abstract]. Ann Oncol. 2022;33(suppl 7):S1391-S1392. 4. Evrard C, Messina S, Sefrioui D, et al. Heterogeneity of mismatch repair status and microsatellite instability between primary tumour and metastasis and its implications for immunotherapy in colorectal cancers. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(8):4427. doi:10.3390/ijms23084427. 5. Li J, Qin S, Xu RH, et al. Effect of fruquintinib vs placebo on overall survival in patients with previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer: the FRESCO randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2018;319(24):2486-2496. 6. Kim TW, Shen L, Xu JM, et al. TERRA: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study of TAS-102 in Asian patients with metastatic colorectal cancer [abstract]. Ann Oncol. 2016;27(suppl 6):vi149-vi206. 7. Li J, Qin S, Yau T, et al. CONCUR: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study of regorafenib monotherapy in Asian patients with previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) [abstract]. Ann Oncol. 2014;25(2):ii105-ii117. 8. Grothey A, Van Cutsem E, Sobrero A, et al; CORRECT Study Group. Regorafenib monotherapy for previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer (CORRECT): an international, multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2013;381(9863):303-312. 9. Data on file. Taiho Oncology, Inc., Princeton, NJ. 10. Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Colon Cancer V.1.2024. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2024. All rights reserved. Accessed February 5, 2024. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org. 11. Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Rectal Cancer V.1.2024. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2024. All rights reserved. Accessed February 5, 2024. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org.

INDICATIONS

LONSURF is indicated as a single agent or in combination with bevacizumab for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic colorectal cancer previously treated with fluoropyrimidine‑, oxaliplatin‑ and irinotecan‑based chemotherapy, an anti‑VEGF biological therapy, and if RAS wild‑type, an anti‑EGFR therapy.

LONSURF is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma previously treated with at least two prior lines of chemotherapy that included a fluoropyrimidine, a platinum, either a taxane or irinotecan, and if appropriate, HER2/neu‑targeted therapy.

Indications and Important Safety Information

Important Safety Information

INDICATIONS

LONSURF is indicated as a single agent or in combination with bevacizumab for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic colorectal cancer previously treated with fluoropyrimidine‑, oxaliplatin‑ and irinotecan‑based chemotherapy, an anti‑VEGF biological therapy, and if RAS wild‑type, an anti‑EGFR therapy.

LONSURF is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma previously treated with at least two prior lines of chemotherapy that included a fluoropyrimidine, a platinum, either a taxane or irinotecan, and if appropriate, HER2/neu‑targeted therapy.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Severe Myelosuppression: In the 1114 patients who received LONSURF as a single agent, LONSURF caused severe or life‑threatening myelosuppression (Grade 3‑4) consisting of neutropenia (38%), anemia (17%), thrombocytopenia (4%) and febrile neutropenia (3%). Three patients (0.3%) died due to neutropenic infection/sepsis; four other patients (0.5%) died due to septic shock. A total of 14% of patients received granulocyte‑colony stimulating factors. In the 246 patients who received LONSURF in combination with bevacizumab, LONSURF caused severe or life-threatening myelosuppression (Grade 3‑4) consisting of neutropenia (52%), anemia (5%), thrombocytopenia (4%) and febrile neutropenia (0.4%). One patient (0.4%) died due to abdominal sepsis and two other patients (0.8%) died due to septic shock. A total of 29% of patients received granulocyte-colony stimulating factors. Obtain complete blood counts prior to and on Day 15 of each cycle of LONSURF and more frequently as clinically indicated. Withhold LONSURF for severe myelosuppression and resume at the next lower dosage.

Embryo‑Fetal Toxicity: LONSURF can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to the fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 6 months after the final dose.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Lactation: It is not known whether LONSURF or its metabolites are present in human milk. There are no data to assess the effects of LONSURF or its metabolites on the breastfed child or the effects on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed children, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with LONSURF and for 1 day following the final dose.

Male Contraception: Because of the potential for genotoxicity, advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use condoms during treatment with LONSURF and for at least 3 months after the final dose.

Geriatric Use: Patients 65 years of age or older who received LONSURF as a single agent had a higher incidence of the following hematologic laboratory abnormalities compared to patients younger than 65 years: Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia (46% vs 32%), Grade 3 anemia (20% vs 14%), and Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia (6% vs 3%). Patients 65 years of age or older who received LONSURF in combination with bevacizumab had a higher incidence of the following hematologic laboratory abnormalities compared to patients younger than 65 years: Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia (60% vs 46%) and Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia (5% vs 4%).

Renal Impairment: No adjustment to the starting dosage of LONSURF is recommended in patients with mild or moderate renal impairment (CLcr of 30 to 89 mL/min). Reduce the starting dose of LONSURF for patients with severe renal impairment (CLcr of 15 to 29 mL/min) to a recommended dosage of 20 mg/m2.

Hepatic Impairment: Do not initiate LONSURF in patients with baseline moderate or severe (total bilirubin > 1.5 times ULN and any AST) hepatic impairment. Patients with severe hepatic impairment (total bilirubin > 3 times ULN and any AST) were not studied. No adjustment to the starting dosage of LONSURF is recommended for patients with mild hepatic impairment.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Serious adverse reactions occurred in 25% of patients. The most frequent serious adverse reactions (≥2%) were intestinal obstruction (2.8%), and COVID-19 (2%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 1.2% of patients who received LONSURF in combination with bevacizumab, including rectal fistula (0.4%), bowel perforation (0.4%) and atrial fibrillation (0.4%).

The most common adverse reactions or laboratory abnormalities (≥10% in incidence) in patients treated with single‑agent LONSURF at a rate that exceeds the rate in patients receiving placebo in mCRC: anemia (77% vs 33%), neutropenia (67% vs 0.8%), asthenia/fatigue (52% vs 35%), nausea (48% vs 24%), thrombocytopenia (42% vs 8%), decreased appetite (39% vs 29%), diarrhea (32% vs 12%), vomiting (28% vs 14%), abdominal pain (21% vs 19%), and pyrexia (19% vs 14%). In metastatic gastric cancer or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ): neutropenia (66% vs 4%), anemia (63% vs 38%), nausea (37% vs 32%), thrombocytopenia (34% vs 9%), decreased appetite (34% vs 31%), vomiting (25% vs 20%), infections (23% vs 16%) and diarrhea (23% vs 14%).

Pulmonary emboli occurred more frequently in LONSURF‑treated patients compared to placebo: in mCRC (2% vs 0%) and in metastatic gastric cancer and GEJ (3% vs 2%).

Interstitial lung disease (0.2%), including fatalities, has been reported in clinical studies and clinical practice settings in Asia.

The most common adverse reactions or laboratory abnormalities (≥20% in incidence) in patients treated with LONSURF in combination with bevacizumab vs LONSURF alone were neutropenia (80% vs 68%), anemia (68% vs 73%), thrombocytopenia (54% vs 29%), fatigue (45% vs 37%), nausea (37% vs 27%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (34% vs 28%), increased alanine aminotransferase (33% vs 23%), increased alkaline phosphate (31% vs 36%), decreased sodium (25% vs 20%), diarrhea (21% vs 19%), abdominal pain (20% vs 18%), and decreased appetite (20% vs 15%).

Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information.