Efficacy observation of sequential TAS-102 following regorafenib as a later-line treatment in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND

Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is associated with poor prognosis and limited options for later-line treatment. Regorafenib and TAS-102 have shown significant benefit and are recommended as later-line treatment for mCRC. This study aimed to investigate the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients with mCRC treated with TAS-102 sequentially after regorafenib progression.

METHODS

This population-based cohort study retrospectively collected data of 30 patients with mCRC treated with TAS-102 sequentially after regorafenib at the Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital and the Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University from January 1, 2020, to October 1, 2023. PFS and OS were considered to be the endpoints of this study. Kaplan-Meier analysis, log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis were used to analyze the OS, PFS, and risk factors.

RESULTS

Among the 30 patients included in the study, the median PFS (mPFS) for all patients was 3.83 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.09-5.59]. OS was divided into two categories: OS, the time from regorafenib initiation to death; OS, the time from TAS-102 initiation to death. The median OS (mOS) was 18.7 months [95% CI: 16.3-not available (NA)], and the median OS (mOS) was 16.1 months (95% CI: 8.08-NA). The mPFS was 3.65 and 3.83 months (P=0.68) in the regorafenib monotherapy group and combination therapy group, respectively, while the mOS was unreached in the regorafenib monotherapy group and was 18.7 months in the regorafenib combination therapy group (P=0.64). Meanwhile, the mOS was 17.5 and 20.7 months in the TAS-102 monotherapy group and TAS-102 combination therapy group, respectively (P=0.53). Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses revealed that curative surgery was an independent predictive factor for PFS.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated that the availability of sequential treatment options including regorafenib followed by TAS-102 prolongs the OS of patients compared to conventional monotherapy approaches. During the sequential treatment, regorafenib or TAS-102 combined with other therapeutic agents did not significantly differ from monotherapy, further investigation is required through large-scale trials.