Neutropenia is an indicator of outcomes in metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with FTD/TPI plus bevacizumab: a retrospective study

Prognostic impact of severe neutropenia in colorectal cancer patients treated with TAS-102 and bevacizumab, addressing immortal-time bias

BACKGROUND

Several studies have reported an association between severe neutropenia and long-term survival in patients treated with trifluridine-tipiracil (TAS-102). Because some of these studies failed to address immortality time bias, however, their findings should be interpreted with caution. Additionally, the association between severe neutropenia and survival in patients receiving TAS-102 in combination with bevacizumab (Bmab) remains unclear.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study in patients with colorectal cancer who received Bmab + TAS-102. We compared overall survival (OS) between patients who developed grade ≥ 3 neutropenia during the treatment period and those who did not. To account for immortal time bias, we used two approaches, time-varying Cox regression and landmark analysis.

RESULTS

Median OS was 15.3 months [95% CI: 14.1-NA] in patients with grade ≥ 3 neutropenia and 10.0 months [95% CI: 8.1-NA] in those without. In time-varying Cox regression, onset grade ≥ 3 neutropenia was significantly related to longer survival after adjustment for age and modified Glasgow Prognostic Score. Additionally, 30-, 60-, 90-, and 120-day landmark analysis showed that grade ≥ 3 neutropenia was associated with longer survival after adjustment for age and modified Glasgow Prognostic Score, with respective HRs of 0.30 [0.10-0.90], 0.65 [0.30-1.42], 0.39 [0.17-0.90], and 0.41 [0.18-0.95].

CONCLUSION

We identified an association between long-term survival and the development of severe neutropenia during the early cycle of Bmab + TAS-102 using an approach that addressed immortality time bias.

Effects and risk factors of TAS-102 in real-world patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, EROTAS-R study

BACKGROUND

Trifluridine/tipiracil (TAS-102) is an anticancer drug for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to analyze the effects and risk factors about effects of TAS-102 in real-world patients with metastatic CRC (the EROTAS-R study).

METHODS

This study retrospectively analyzed 271 patients aged ≥ 20 years who underwent TAS-102 for metastatic CRC at nine related institutions from 2014 to 2021. Therapeutic results of TAS-102 + bevacizumab (Bev) and TAS-102, effect predictors, adverse events (AE), and AE predictors were examined.

RESULTS

The backgrounds of all cases were as follows: average age, 66.7 ± 10.9 years; male ratio, 59.5%; performance status (PS) 0/1/2, 43.5%/50.6%/5.9%; and tumor site right/left, 25.5%/74.5%. The therapeutic results of 109 cases receiving TAS-102 + Bev and 162 cases receiving TAS-102 were as follows: disease control rate, 53.2% vs. 28.0% (p < 0.01); progressive free survival (PFS), 6.2 vs. 4.2 months (p < 0.01); and overall survival (S), 11.8 vs. 9.3 months (p = 0.03). Multivariate analysis for effect-related factors (odds ratio (OR), 95%confidence interval (CI)) showed the following: PS1 + 2 (0.257, 0.134-0.494, p < 0.01) and a combination of Bev (3.052, 1.598-5.827, p < 0.01). The rates of grade 3 AE for TAS-102 + Bev and TAS-102 were 53.2% and 48.8%, respectively (p = 0.47). Various AE predictors were as follows: male sex (p = 0.69), age ≥ 75 years (p = 0.59), PS1 + 2 (p = 0.20), body surface area < 1.53 m2 (p = 0.26), eGFR < 50 ml/min (p = 0.02), and AST ≥ 50 IU/L (p = 0.64).

CONCLUSION

A better OS and PFS comparing TAS-102 + Bev to TAS-102 for CRC was achieved in a large number of real-world patients.

Clinical Effect of the C-Reactive Protein to Serum Albumin Ratio in Patients with Metastatic Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer Treated with Trifluridine/Tipiracil

Trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) is an oral anticancer agent used as a third- or later-line treatment for patients with metastatic gastric cancer/gastroesophageal junction cancer (mGC/GEJC). The C-reactive protein-to-serum albumin ratio (CAR) is an inflammation-based prognostic marker in gastric cancer. This retrospective study evaluated CAR's clinical significance as a prognostic factor in 64 patients with mGC/GEJC administered FTD/TPI as a third- or later-line therapy. Patients were categorized into high- and low-CAR groups based on pre-treatment blood data. This study evaluated associations between CAR and overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), clinicopathological features, treatment efficacy, and adverse events. The high-CAR group had significantly worse Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, a higher prevalence of patients administered with a single course of FTD/TPI, and a higher rate of patients not administered chemotherapy after FTD/TPI therapy than the low-CAR group. Median OS and PFS were significantly poorer in the high-CAR group than in the low-CAR group (113 vs. 399 days; p < 0.001 and 39 vs. 112 days; p < 0.001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, high CAR was an independent prognostic factor for OS and PFS. The overall response rate was not significantly different between the high- and low-CAR groups. Regarding adverse events, the high-CAR group had a significantly lower incidence of neutropenia and a higher incidence of fatigue than the low-CAR group. Therefore, CAR may be a potentially useful prognostic factor for patients with mGC/GEJC treated with FTD/TPI as third- or later-line chemotherapy.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Trifluridine/Tipiracil plus Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Evidence from Real-World Series

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer is the most prevalent gastrointestinal neoplasm. When metastatic, the disease has limited systemic treatment options. Novel targeted therapies have expanded these options for subsets with specific molecular alterations, such as microsatellite instability (MSI)-high cancers, but additional treatments and combinations are in urgent need to improve outcomes and improve survival of this incurable disease. The fluoropyrimidine-derivative trifluridine, in combination with tipiracil, has been introduced as a third-line treatment, and more recently, it was studied in combination with bevacizumab. This meta-analysis reports on studies with this combination in clinical practice outside clinical trials.

METHODS

A literature search in the Medline/PubMed and Embase databases was executed for finding series of trifluridine/tipiracil with bevacizumab in metastatic colorectal cancer. Criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis were English or French language of the report, inclusion of twenty or more patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with trifluridine/tipiracil in combination with bevacizumab outside of a trial and containing information regarding response rates, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Information on the demographics of the patients and on adverse effects of treatment was also collected.

RESULTS

Eight series with a total of 437 patients were eligible for the meta-analysis. The performed meta-analysis discovered a summary response rate (RR) of 2.71% (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11-4.32%) and a disease control rate (DCR) of 59.63% (95% CI: 52.06-67.21%). Summary PFS was 4.56 months (95% CI: 3.57-5.55 months), and summary OS was 11.17 months (95% CI: 10.15-12.19 months). Common adverse effects identified mirrored the adverse-effect profile of the two components of the combination.

CONCLUSION

The current systematic review and meta-analysis reports the efficacy of trifluridine/tipiracil with bevacizumab in advanced lines of therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer in the setting of clinical practice outside clinical trials. Discovery of predictive biomarkers of response to trifluridine/tipiracil with bevacizumab will promote the tailoring of this treatment to individual patients to maximize clinical benefit.

Safety and efficacy of trifluridine/tipiracil in previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer: final results from the phase IIIb single-arm PRECONNECT study by duration of therapy

BACKGROUND

PRECONNECT was an international, phase IIIb trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

METHODS

Patients with mCRC received FTD/TPI 35 mg/m² twice-daily on days 1-5 and 8-12 of each 28-day cycle for third- or later-line treatment.

PRIMARY ENDPOINT

safety and time to deterioration of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status [ECOG PS] to ≥2). Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS). Potential prognostic factors for PFS were explored.

RESULTS

Of 914 patients, 69% completed 0-3, 24% completed 4-7, and 7% completed ≥8 cycles of FTD/TPI. Drug-related grade ≥ 3 adverse events included neutropenia (38.1%), anaemia (7.2%) and asthenia (3.4%). Median [95% CI] time to ECOG PS deterioration was 8.7 [8.1-not calculable] months and increased with duration of treatment (DoT). Median PFS was 2.8 [2.7-3.0] months and increased with duration of treatment DoT. Prognostic factors associated with longer PFS included time since diagnosis of first metastasis, number of metastatic sites, baseline ECOG PS, presence/absence of liver metastasis or previous regorafenib treatment, and laboratory variables.

CONCLUSIONS

No new safety concerns for FTD/TPI were identified and PFS increased with DoT. These data provide confidence for the use of FTD/TPI, including the use of multiple cycles, in routine practice.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

EudraCT Number: 2016-002311-18; registered 19/09/2016. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03306394 ; registered 11/10/2017.

Pooled safety analysis from phase III studies of trifluridine/tipiracil in patients with metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer and metastatic colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) showed clinical benefit, including improved survival and manageable safety in previously treated patients with metastatic colorectal (mCRC) or gastric/gastroesophageal junction (mGC/GEJC) cancer in the phase III RECOURSE and TAGS trials, respectively. A pooled analysis was conducted to further characterize FTD/TPI safety, including management of haematologic toxicities and use in patients with renal or hepatic impairment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Adults with ≥2 prior regimens for advanced mGC/GEJC or mCRC were randomized (2 : 1) to FTD/TPI [35 mg/m² twice daily days 1-5 and 8-12 (28-day cycle); same dosage in both trials] or placebo plus best supportive care. Adverse events (AEs) were summarized in the safety population (patients who received ≥1 dose) and analysed by renal/hepatic function.

RESULTS

TAGS and RECOURSE included 335 and 533 FTD/TPI-treated and 168 and 265 placebo-treated patients, respectively. Overall safety of FTD/TPI was similar in TAGS and RECOURSE. Haematologic (neutropenia, anaemia) and gastrointestinal (nausea, diarrhoea) AEs were most commonly observed. Laboratory-assessed grade 3-4 neutropenia occurred in 37% (TAGS)/38% (RECOURSE) of FTD/TPI-treated patients (median onset: 29 days/55 days), and 96% (TAGS)/97% (RECOURSE) of cases resolved regardless of renal/hepatic function. Supportive medications for neutropenia were received by 17% (TAGS) and 9% (RECOURSE); febrile neutropenia was reported in 2% and 4%, respectively. Overall grade ≥3 AEs were more frequent in patients with moderate renal impairment [81% (TAGS); 85% (RECOURSE)] versus normal renal function (74%; 67%); anaemia and neutropenia were more common in patients with renal impairment. FTD/TPI safety (including haematologic AEs) was consistent across patients with normal and mildly impaired hepatic function.

CONCLUSIONS

These results support FTD/TPI as a well-tolerated treatment in patients with mGC/GEJC or mCRC, with a consistent safety profile. Safety was largely similar in patients with normal or mildly impaired renal/hepatic function; however, patients with renal impairment should be monitored for haematologic toxicities.

Efficacy, safety and prognostic factors in patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer treated with trifluridine/tipiracil plus bevacizumab in a real-world setting

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of trifluridine/tipiracil (TAS-102) plus bevacizumab in treating refractory metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) in a retrospective, observational study. Patients refractory or intolerant to standard therapies received TAS-102 (30-35 mg/m² twice daily on days 1-5 and days 8-12 every 28 days) plus bevacizumab 5 mg/kg on days 1 and 15. Clinical and pathological characteristics, overall response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) data were collected and analysed. Thirty-five patients were treated from July 2019 to October 2021 (median age 64 years). The majority of patients (68.6%) were receiving TAS-102 plus bevacizumab as third-line treatment. Patients received a median of 4 (range 2-15) cycles of treatment. Among 31 patients evaluable for response (88.6%), ORR and DCR were 3.2% and 51.6%, respectively. After a median 11.6 months' follow-up, median PFS was 4.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.4-5.1) months and median OS was 9.3 (95% CI 6.6-12.1) months. The most common grade 3-4 toxicities were neutropenia, asthenia and nausea/vomiting, and there were no treatment-related deaths. This real-world study confirms the efficacy and safety of TAS-102 plus bevacizumab in patients with refractory mCRC.

TAS-102 Monotherapy and Combination Therapy with Bevacizumab for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of TAS-102 monotherapy and combination therapy with bevacizumab in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.

Methods

The PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for the literature on TAS-102 treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Extracted data include median overall survival (mOS), median progression-free survival (mPFS), and the incidence of adverse events for meta-analysis.

Results

Our study found that the mOS of patients treated with TAS-102 monotherapy was 6.95 (95% CI: 6.26-7.72) months and the mPFS was 2.53 (95% CI: 2.31-2.78) months. The mOS in patients treated by TAS-102 combined with bevacizumab was 10.41 (95% CI: 8.40-12.89) months, and the mPFS is 4.35 (95% CI: 3.05-6.20) months. In the control experiment, the patients' mOS and mPFS were improved. TAS-102+B vs. TAS-102 (OR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.18-0.93; OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.63-0.83) and TAS-102 vs. placebo (OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.29-0.67; OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.42-0.62) were studied to actively prevent the occurrence of neutropenia, leukopenia, febrile neutropenia, anemia, and vomiting.

Conclusion

TAS-102 monotherapy and combination therapy with bevacizumab can significantly improve the survival of patients and prevent specific adverse events from happening.

Effect of neutropenia on survival outcomes of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer receiving trifluridine/tipiracil plus bevacizumab

Trifluridine (FTD)/tipiracil (TPI) plus bevacizumab (Bev) is a promising late-line treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Although chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN) is a well-known predictor of FTD/TPI efficacy, whether CIN is a predictive marker of efficacy for FTD/TPI + Bev remains unclear. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of FTD/TPI + Bev and the predictive markers of its efficacy. Clinical data of patients with mCRC who received FTD/TPI + Bev at the Cancer Institute Hospital between January 2017 and August 2020 were retrospectively collected. Disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and safety were assessed. In addition, subgroup analyses of prognostic and predictive efficacy markers were performed. In total, 94 patients (median age, 60.0 years; age range, 32–82 years; 37 men and 57 women) were included in the present study. The DCR was 44.7%, the median PFS time was 2.9 months (2.3–4.1 months) and the median OS time was 10.0 months (7.3–11.1 months). Grade 3 or 4 CIN within the first cycle of treatment occurred in 27.7% of patients, which was significantly associated with a longer PFS time than those who did not develop CIN [3.8 months (2.3–8.4 months) vs. 2.7 months (1.8–4.0 months); P=0.008]. Furthermore, the DCR was higher in patients with grade 3 or 4 CIN within the first cycle of treatment than those without CIN (61.5 vs. 38.2%; P=0.07). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that grade 3 or 4 CIN within the first cycle of treatment are independent predictors for a longer PFS time (P=0.01). Taken together, the results of the present study suggest that grade 3 or 4 CIN within the first cycle of treatment are early predictors of the efficacy of FTD/TPI + Bev.

Dose individualisation in oncology using chemotherapy-induced neutropenia: Example of docetaxel in non-small cell lung cancer patients

AIMS

Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia has been associated with an increase in overall survival in non-small cell lung cancer patients. Therefore, neutrophil counts could be an interesting biomarker for drug efficacy as well as linked directly to toxicity. For drugs where neutropenia is dose limiting, neutrophil counts might be used for monitoring drug effect and for dosing optimisation.

METHODS

The relationship between drug effect on the first cycle neutrophil counts and patient survival was explored in a Phase III clinical trial where patients with non-small cell lung cancer were treated with docetaxel. Once the association has been established, dosing optimisation was performed for patients with severe toxicities (neutropenia) without compromising drug efficacy (overall survival).

RESULTS

After taking into account baseline prognostic factors, such as Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, smoking status, liver metastasis, tumour burden, neutrophil counts and albumin levels, a model-predicted drug effect on the first cycle neutrophil counts was strongly associated with patient survival (P = .005). Utilising this relationship in a dose optimisation algorithm, 194 out of 366 patients would have benefited from a dose reduction after the first cycle of docetaxel. The simulated 1-year survival probabilities associated with the original dose and the individualised dose were not different.

CONCLUSION

The strong relationship between drug effect on the first cycle neutrophil counts and patient survival suggests that this variable could be used to individualise dosing, possibly without needing pharmacokinetic samples. The algorithm highlights that doses could be reduced in case of severe haematological toxicities without compromising drug efficacy.