Abstract Background In the phase 3 FRESCO-2 study, fruquintinib plus best supportive care (BSC) significantly improved overall survival (OS) versus placebo plus BSC in patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We present the results of a FRESCO-2 post hoc subgroup analysis evaluating outcomes of patients enrolled in Japan. Methods In FRESCO-2, patients had previously received all standard chemotherapies, anti-VEGF and anti-EGFR therapies if indicated, and had progressed on, or were intolerant to trifluridine-tipiracil and/or regorafenib. Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive fruquintinib 5 mg or matching placebo by mouth once daily on days 1–21 in 28-day cycles, plus BSC. The primary endpoint was OS; secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and safety. Results Of the 56 patients enrolled in Japan, 40 (71.4%) and 16 (28.6%) were randomized to fruquintinib and placebo, respectively. OS was improved with fruquintinib versus placebo (median 6.9 vs. 5.6 months; hazard ratio HR, 0.42; 95% confidence interval CI 0.19 − 0.92). PFS was also improved with fruquintinib versus placebo (median 3.6 vs. 1.8 months; HR, 0.27; 95% CI 0.13 − 0.56). The incidence of grade ≥ 3 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) with fruquintinib versus placebo was 71.8% versus 29.4%; the most common grade ≥ 3 TEAEs with fruquintinib were hypertension (23.1%) and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (17.9%). Conclusions Fruquintinib improved OS and PFS versus placebo in FRESCO-2 patients enrolled in Japan and demonstrated a manageable safety profile. Results from the Japan subgroup were consistent with the global FRESCO-2 population, thus supporting fruquintinib as a novel treatment option for patients in Japan with refractory mCRC. Clinical trial details ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT04322539.
Kotani et al. (Mon,) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: