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

Relevance: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

Relevance Rating Details

New Drug Approvals

Fruzaqla

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

Fruzaqla is approved for adults with metastatic 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 targeted therapy.

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 targeted therapy, 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 FDA 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 targeted therapy. 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

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

FDA approves trifluridine and tipiracil with bevacizumab for previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer. FDA 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.

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posted 3/22/24