A new treatment method for metastatic colorectal cancer significantly improves the survival and quality of life of those affected. The new treatment combination is often performed on an outpatient basis. The patients take the oral chemotherapy in tablet form at home, and the antibody is administered as a 15 to 30 minute infusion every 14 days at the oncology day clinic.
This was announced on Thursday afternoon by MedUni Vienna, which was involved in the global investigation. The new treatment standard combines targeted therapy with oral chemotherapy and should soon benefit Austrian patients.
The new treatment approach combines the previous standard therapy trifluridine/tipiracil with bevacizumab, an anti-new blood vessel formation antibody. This antibody has been known for about 20 years and is also used in previous lines of treatment for colon cancer.
Good tolerability of the antibody
The improved benefit extends across all groups studied, regardless of age, sex, location of the primary tumour, previous treatments and molecular characteristics of the tumour. Due to the good compatibility of the antibody with oral chemotherapy, the general condition is maintained significantly longer compared to the previous standard therapy.
Most common side effect easy to treat
“Usually we see small benefits from combinations of therapies, but this is a big step forward, both in terms of survival and quality of life,” said Prager, who is also the study’s first author. The only side effect worth mentioning is anemia, which is easily treated.
EMA approval expected soon
The new treatment combination is often performed on an outpatient basis. The patients take the oral chemotherapy in tablet form at home, and the antibody is administered as a 15 to 30 minute infusion every 14 days at the oncology day clinic. In addition, the patients must have a blood count once a month. The therapy has now found its way into US guidelines. According to MedUni, approval for the treatment concept by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is also expected in Europe soon.
Source: Krone
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