Comparison of the efficacy of fruquintinib monotherapy versus fruquintinib combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer: a retrospective study

This study explored the efficacy of fruquintinib monotherapy versus fruquintinib combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of advanced proficient mismatch repair/microsatellite stable-type colorectal cancer. We retrospectively collected data from patients (n=75) diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer at our hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 who chose to receive fruquintinib monotherapy or combine it with immune checkpoint inhibitors for treatment. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). As of July 1, 2023, the median PFS for the fruquintinib monotherapy group and combination therapy was 3.9 months and 7.9 months , respectively (P = 0.142). The median OS in the monotherapy group and combination therapy was 10.3 months and 10.0 months, respectively (P = 0.942). However, as compared with the monotherapy group, the combination therapy group showed a trend for a prolonged duration of PFS, and it may have good application potential.