Comparison of Regorafenib, Fruquintinib, and TAS-102 in Previously Treated Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Five Clinical Trials

Med Sci Monit. 2019 Dec 2:25:9179-9191. doi: 10.12659/MSM.918411.

Abstract

BACKGROUND This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the literature to identify key randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs), followed by network meta-analysis, to compare the efficacy and safety profiles of regorafenib, fruquintinib, and TAS-102 in previously treated patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC). MATERIAL AND METHODS Systematic literature review was performed using the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane library online databases to identify published randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Hazard ratios (HRs) for progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and the odds ratios (ORs) for the objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), adverse events (AEs), serious adverse events (SAEs), and fatal adverse events (FAEs) were compared indirectly using network meta-analysis based on a random-effects model. RESULTS Five RCTs that included 2,604 patients fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were analyzed. Indirect comparisons showed that fruquintinib was associated with significant superiority for PFS (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.34-0.95) and DCR (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.08-3.01) when compared with TAS-102 in patients with mCRC. However, there was no significant difference between OS or ORR between regorafenib, fruquintinib, and TAS-102. Fruquintinib was associated with a significantly higher risk of SAEs when compared with TAS-102 or regorafenib. There was no significant difference in the risk of AEs or FAEs following indirect comparison between fruquintinib, regorafenib, and TAS-102. CONCLUSIONS The findings from network meta-analysis showed that fruquintinib was associated with significant superiority for PFS and DCR compared with TAS-102, but fruquintinib was associated with significantly increased risk for SAEs compared with regorafenib and TAS-102.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Benzofurans / pharmacology
  • Benzofurans / therapeutic use*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Drug Combinations
  • Humans
  • Network Meta-Analysis
  • Phenylurea Compounds / pharmacology
  • Phenylurea Compounds / therapeutic use*
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • Pyridines / therapeutic use*
  • Pyrrolidines / pharmacology
  • Pyrrolidines / therapeutic use*
  • Quinazolines / pharmacology
  • Quinazolines / therapeutic use*
  • Rectal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Thymine
  • Trifluridine / pharmacology
  • Trifluridine / therapeutic use*
  • Uracil / analogs & derivatives*
  • Uracil / pharmacology
  • Uracil / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Benzofurans
  • Drug Combinations
  • Phenylurea Compounds
  • Pyridines
  • Pyrrolidines
  • Quinazolines
  • trifluridine tipiracil drug combination
  • regorafenib
  • HMPL-013
  • Uracil
  • Thymine
  • Trifluridine