Dr. Ulahannan on the VALENTINO Trial in Advanced CRC

Susanna Ulahannan, MD, assistant professor, Section of Hematology/Oncology, associate director, Oklahoma TSET Phase I Program, Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma, discusses the VALENTINO trial in advanced colorectal cancer (CRC).

There is a lot of existing data for bevacizumab (Avastin) in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the maintenance setting. This regimen is often used by physicians to help enhance a patient’s quality of life, says Ulahannan. However, there are limited data to support the use of anti-EGFR agents in the maintenance setting.

The phase II VALENTINO study was a noninferior trial looking at panitumumab (Vectibix) as maintenance therapy versus panitumumab and 5-FU. The study met its endpoint. Physicians can now use this regimen as an effective maintenance treatment for patients with RAS wild-type CRC, states Ulahannan.

The study is unlikely to change the standard of care in the maintenance setting as 5-FU is already the basis of maintenance approaches whether combined with a targeted therapy such as VEGFR-targeted agent like bevacizumab (Avastin) or an EGFR-targeting therapy like panitumumab or cetuximab (Erbitux).