Dr. Azad on Selecting Between Regorafenib and TAS-102 in CRC

Nilofer S​aba Azad, MD, associate professor of oncology, Johns Hopkins ​University School of Medicine, ​director, Developmental Therapeutics Clinical Trials Program, Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, discusses selecting between regorafenib (Stivarga) and TAS-102 (trifluridine/tipiracil; Lonsurf) in colorectal cancer (CRC).

Largely, the decision to select regorafenib or TAS-102 as third- and fourth-line treatment options for patients with CRC is provider dependent, says Azad.

The agents have demonstrated overlapping survival curves, so they are similar in terms of efficacy, Azad explains. However, ease of dosing and patient tolerability can inform which therapy is optimal for a patient.

For Azad, TAS-102 appears to be more tolerable for patients compared with regorafenib. Additionally, randomized data have shown promising efficacy with the combination of TAS-102 and bevacizumab (Avastin), says Azad.

Additionally, data showed that patients who received TAS-102 were able to maintain their fitness and performance status better versus placebo. A similar analysis was not conducted with regorafenib, concludes Azad.