Safety and efficacy of trifluridine-tipiracil hydrochloride oral combination (TAS-102) in patients with unresectable colorectal cancer

Abstract

Aim: To retrospectively examine efficacy and safety of oral combination of trifluridine and tipiracil hydrochloride (TAS-102) as the second-line therapeutic agent for unresectable colorectal cancer. Patient and Methods: Treatment outcomes of 17 patients who had received TAS-102 at our Institution from January 2015 to January 2017 were analyzed. The indications for second-line TAS-102 treatment were intolerance to other multi-drug combination (four patients) or patient refusal of the standard second-line therapy (13 patients). Results: Among 17 patients who received TAS-102 as second-line therapy, partial response was observed in two (12%) and stable disease in two (12%). Outcomes of TAS-102 given as second-line therapy were: median overall survival of 5 months, response rate of 12% and disease control of 24%. Overall, no adverse events other than neutropenia were noted. Conclusion: Our findings suggest a beneficial role of TAS-102 in second-line therapy for unresectable colorectal carcinoma.