Get notified of page updates

Update: News from the FDA - Two new metastatic colorectal cancer treatments

Summary

The FDA recently approved two new treatments for metastatic colorectal cancer. (Posted 3/22/24)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

Printer Friendly Page Read the Original Article
News from the FDA - Two new metastatic colorectal cancer treatments
Glossary on
off

RELEVANCE

Most relevant for: People with colorectal cancer.
It may also be relevant for:

  • people with colorectal cancer

Relevance: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

Relevance Rating Details


New Drug Approvals

 

Fruzaqla

The approved a new cancer treatment option for colorectal cancer. Fruzaqla (fruquintinib), a known as an anti-VEGF treatment, works by blocking the blood supply to a tumor.

Fruzaqla is approved for adults with colorectal cancer (mCRC) who were previously treated with chemotherapy and a different anti-VEGF therapy. Depending on their specific cancer, some patients may have also received anti-EGFR .

Fruzaqla is a pill taken orally once daily. In clinical trials, it increased the time until cancer came back and improved overall survival.

Because Fruzaqla is a , it may benefit patients while causing fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy. The most common side effects seen during the clinical trial leading to FDA-approval included high-blood pressure, fatigue, hand and foot syndrome, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Fruzaqla can harm a developing baby. Experts recommend people on Fruzaqla avoid pregnancy.

LONSURF with the use of bevacizumab

The approved LONSURF (trifluridine and tipiracil), an oral chemotherapy drug to be given in combination with Avastin (bevacizumab) for people with mCRC who were previously treated with chemotherapy, an anti-VEGF therapy and (depending on their specific cancer) an anti-EGFR . LONSURF works by blocking cancer cells from replicating. Avastin works by blocking the blood supply to a tumor. 

LONSURF was originally approved in September 2015 and Avastin was originally approved in 2004.  However, recent studies showed that LONSURF combined with Avastin increased the time until cancer grew or spread as well as improving overall survival compared to LONSURF alone.

LONSURF is taken by mouth on days 1 through 5 and days 8 through 12 of a 28-day cycle. Avastin is given intravenously every 2 weeks.

LONSURF can harm a developing baby. Experts recommend people on LONSURF avoid pregnancy.

 

Reference

approves fruquintinib in refractory colorectal cancer. news release. November 8, 2023.

approves trifluridine and tipiracil with bevacizumab for previously treated colorectal cancer. news release. August 2, 2023.

Disclosure: FORCE receives funding from industry sponsors, including companies that manufacture cancer drugs, tests and devices. All XRAYS articles are written independently of any sponsor and are reviewed by members of our Scientific Advisory Board prior to publication to assure scientific integrity.

Share your thoughts on this XRAY review by taking our brief survey.  

posted 3/22/24

Questions To Ask Your Doctor
Questions To Ask Your Doctor

  • Am I eligible for any of the newly approved colorectal cancer treatments?
  • What are the risk or benefits of LONSURF or Fruzaqla?
  • Are there any clinical trials that I should consider?

Open clinical trials
Open clinical trials

 

The following studies are enrolling people with advanced colorectal cancer. 

Several other clinical trials for patients with colorectal cancer can be found here.

Updated: 07/09/2024

Back to XRAY Home