A phase I, open-label study evaluating the safety and pharmacokinetics of trifluridine/tipiracil in patients with advanced solid tumors and varying degrees of renal impairment

Impact of renal function on non-hematologic toxicities in mCRC patients treated with TAS-102: a post-hoc analysis of the JASCC-CINV2001 study

PURPOSE

Although the efficacy of trifluridine/tipiracil hydrochloride (TAS-102) in treating metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is well established, its non-hematologic toxicities in relation to renal function remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the impact of creatinine clearance (Ccr) on non-hematologic toxicities, including nausea and vomiting, in patients with mCRC treated with TAS-102.

METHODS

This study was conducted as a post-hoc analysis of the JASCC-CINV2001 study, a multicenter observational study of mCRC patients. Using a Cox proportional hazards model, we assessed the relationship between Ccr and nausea or vomiting, and used a generalized estimating equations (GEE) logistic regression model to analyze the association between Ccr and additional toxicities, including fatigue, constipation, diarrhea, insomnia, and dysgeusia. Toxicities were evaluated at weekly intervals over four weeks.

RESULTS

Among 100 patients, median Ccr was 80.5 ml/min. The primary analysis showed no significant association between Ccr and nausea or vomiting. However, the secondary analysis revealed a significant link between lower Ccr and the incidence of diarrhea (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that although TAS-102-induced nausea and vomiting are not strongly influenced by renal function, decreased renal function increases the risk of diarrhea. Enhanced antiemetic measures may not be necessary for TAS-102 patients with impaired renal function, but monitoring for diarrhea is recommended.

Prognostic impact and risk factors of severe neutropenia in the early phase of treatment with trifluridine-tipiracil for metastatic colorectal cancer patients: a single-center retrospective study

PURPOSE

We aimed to identify the risk factors for severe neutropenia in the early phase of trifluridine-tipiracil (FTD/TPI) treatment, and their impact on overall survival (OS).

METHODS

This single-center retrospective study included patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer who were treated with FTD/TPI. The primary endpoint was OS, and the secondary endpoint was severe neutropenia during the first and second cycles of FTD/TPI. We assessed the association between outcomes and potential confounders using multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 77 total patients, 33 developed severe neutropenia during the first and second treatment cycles. In Cox hazard analysis, the independent factors associated with OS were neutropenia ≥ grade 1 during cycles 1 and 2 (adjusted hazard ratio 0.43; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.21-0.87), combined treatment with bevacizumab (0.47; 95% CI 0.27-0.83), number of metastatic organs ≥ 3 (2.15; 95% CI 1.22-3.82), and time since diagnosis of metastasis until commencement of FTD/TPI < 18 months (1.94; 95% CI 1.13-3.33). Severe neutropenia during cycles 1 and 2 was not associated with OS (0.75; 0.44-1.27). The risk of severe neutropenia adjusted for initial dose reduction was defined as renal impairment with creatinine clearance (Ccr) of < 60 ml/min (adjusted odds ratio, 4.67; 95% CI, 1.38-15.80) and absolute neutrophil count (per 1000/μl, 0.47; 0.27-0.81).

CONCLUSION

The neutropenia ≥ grade 1 during cycles 1 and 2 of FTD/TPI is a predictor of favorable outcomes; however, the effect of severe neutropenia on OS was not clear. Renal impairment was also associated with severe neutropenia.

Impact of renal impairment on early development of severe neutropenia with trifluridine/tipiracil treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer

Trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) with or without bevacizumab is an effective treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). As this agent is mainly excreted via the kidney, we aimed to evaluate the impact of renal impairment (RI) on the early development of severe neutropenia, a dose-limiting toxicity and whose development reflects better treatment outcomes, in patients with mCRC treated with FTD/TPI. Patients with mCRC receiving FTD/TPI ± bevacizumab (n = 100) were divided into the RI group (creatinine clearance [CCr] < 90 mL/min) or control group (CCr ≥ 90 mL/min), and retrospectively evaluated. Severe neutropenia during the first two cycles occurred in 57.6% and 34.2% of patients in the RI and control groups, respectively, which was significantly different (P = 0.03) and met our primary endpoint. Furthermore, the incidence during the first cycle also differed significantly (52.5% in the RI group and 17.1% in the control group, P = 0.0004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that baseline RI and neutropenia were significant risk factors for early severe neutropenia (adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval: 3.07, 1.24-7.59, P = 0.02 for RI, and 9.76, 1.08-88.11, P = 0.04 for neutropenia). In conclusion, our study suggested that patients with RI can exhibit early severe neutropenia during real-world FTD/TPI treatment for mCRC.

Renal impairment as a risk factor for trifluridine/tipiracil-induced adverse events in metastatic colorectal cancer patients from the REGOTAS study

Renal impairment may be associated with an increased risk of hematologic events (AEs) in patients undergoing treatment with trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI). This study aimed to investigate the specific types of AEs linked to renal impairment in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) receiving FTD/TPI, using real-world data. Among the patients included in the REGOTAS study (a retrospective study of FTD/TPI versus regorafenib), those treated with FTD/TPI were evaluated. Creatinine clearance values of < 30, 30-60, 60-90, and > 90 mL/min were defined as severe, moderate, mild renal impairment, and normal renal function, respectively. Renal impairment was analyzed as a risk factor for grade 3 or higher AEs using a logistic regression model. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) based on renal impairment were evaluated. A total of 309 patients were included in the analysis, with 124, 130, and 55 patients divided into the normal, mild, and moderate-to-severe groups, respectively. The risk of grade 3 or higher neutropenia was significantly higher in the moderate-to-severe group (odds ratio 3.47; 95% confidence interval 1.45-8.30; P = 0.005), but there was no significant increase in the risk of non-hematologic AEs in any of the groups. The OS and PFS of patients in the mild and moderate-to-severe groups were comparable to those in the normal group. Patients with mCRC and moderate/severe renal impairment receiving FTD/TPI therapy may develop severe neutropenia; however, FTD/TPI remains a viable treatment option due to its clinical benefit.

A bioequivalence study of trifluridine/tipiracil tablets in Chinese metastatic colorectal cancer patients under fed conditions

PURPOSE

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer death worldwide. Trifluridine (FTD) remained at higher concentrations longer when administered along with tipiracil (TPI) compared with FTD alone. Lonsurf^® is a combination formulation consisting of FTD and TPI. This study aimed to investigate the bioequivalence of FTD/TPI formulations in Chinese metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients.

METHODS

In this phase I, randomized, open-label, single-dose, two-sequence, four-cycle crossover study in mCRC patients, the bioequivalence of 60 mg (20 mg tablet, 3 tablets) of the test formulation and the reference formulation (Lonsurf^®) was evaluated. Due to its high variability, the method of reference-scaled average bioequivalence (RSABE) was used to investigate the bioequivalence of the test and reference formulations.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients were enrolled. 78.1% of the subjects were male, and the mean (standard deviation) age was 53.9 (SD =  ± 9.0) years old. The time to reach the maximum plasma concentration (T_max) was almost 2.0 h post-dose. The geometric least-squares mean ratios (GMRs) (test/reference) of C_max and AUC_0-t for FTD were 95.3% and 102.9%, respectively, with 90% confidence intervals (CIs) for the natural log-transformed ratios of C_max and AUC_0-t of 90.0-100.9% and 99.9-105.9%, while the GMRs of C_max and AUC_0-t for TPI were 95.7% and 100.7%, respectively, with 90% CIs of 90.5-101.2% and 97.0-104.7%. In addition, the GMRs of C_max and AUC_0-t for FTD's major metabolite, trifluorothymine (FTY), were 94.8 (90% CI 90.3-99.5%) and 99.33 (90% CI 96.9-101.9%), respectively. These were in accord with the FDA bioequivalence definition interval of 80-125%.

CONCLUSION

The test and reference FTD/TPI formulations were bioequivalent in Chinese mCRC patients under fed conditions.

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.

Improving Cancer Care for Patients With CKD: The Need for Changes in Clinical Trials

Chemotherapeutic agents used to treat cancer generally have narrow therapeutic indices along with potentially serious adverse toxicities. Many cancer drugs are at least partially excreted through the kidney and, thus, the availability of accurate data on safe and effective dosing of these drugs in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is essential to guide treatment decisions. Typically, during drug development, initial clinical studies only include patients with normal or only mildly impaired kidney function. In subsequent preregistration studies, a limited number of patients with more severe kidney dysfunction are included. Data obtained from patients with either severe kidney dysfunction (here defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] < 30 ml/min or stage 4G CKD) or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) requiring kidney replacement treatment are particularly limited before drug registration and only a minority of new drug applications to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) include data from this population. Unfortunately, limited data and/or other safety concerns may result in a manufacturer statement that the drug is contraindicated in patients with advanced kidney disease, which hinders access to potentially beneficial drugs for these patients. This systemic exclusion of patients with CKD from cancer drug trials remains an unsolved problem, which prevents provision of optimal clinical care for these patients, raises questions of inclusion, diversity, and equity. In addition, with the aging of the population, there are increasing numbers of patients with CKD and cancer who face these issues. In this review, we evaluate the scientific basis to exclude patients with CKD from cancer trials and propose a comprehensive strategy to address this problem.

Severe pancytopenia caused by trifluridine/tipiracil in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and an impaired renal function: A case report

Although the incidence of hematological toxicity due to Trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) treatment is high, the incidence of severe adverse events has been reported to be relatively low. However, it should be noted that patients with renal impairment are prone to severe hematological adverse events.