#United States #San Francisco #Taiho Oncology #Colorectal Cancer #LONSURF

Taiho Oncology Showcases Real-World Findings on LONSURF at ASCO GI Symposium

At the recent American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium held in San Francisco from January 23-25, 2025, Taiho Oncology, Inc. unveiled promising real-world findings regarding its oral cancer treatment, LONSURF® (trifluridine/tipiracil). This innovative treatment is crucial for patients suffering from metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Study Overview and Significance

The data presented showcased how the combination of LONSURF with the anti-angiogenic drug bevacizumab yielded significantly improved outcomes for mCRC patients compared to LONSURF alone. This research included a comprehensive analysis from two retrospective studies involving thousands of patients from the ConcertAI RWD360™ dataset, encompassing various demographics, including a significant representation of Black patients, who traditionally face higher rates of cancer incidence and mortality.

Dr. Tehseen Salimi, the Senior Vice President and Head of Medical Affairs at Taiho, expressed enthusiasm about the results, noting the commitment of Taiho Oncology to advance treatment efficacy through real-world evidence. The evidence is particularly important for informing treatment protocols, especially for underrepresented groups who may not always be included in clinical trials.

Key Findings from the Retrospective Studies

The larger of the two studies included a total of 3,680 patients diagnosed with mCRC. Here are the critical findings that underscore the efficacy of the LONSURF and bevacizumab combination:

• - Overall Survival Rates: Patients treated with the LONSURF and bevacizumab combination therapy experienced a median overall survival of 9.4 months compared to 6.4 months for those receiving LONSURF alone (p<0.0001).
• - Risk of Death Reduction: Analysis showed a decreased risk of death in patients receiving the combination therapy, supported by a hazard ratio of 0.68 (p<0.0001).
• - Duration of Treatment: The combination treatment also significantly prolonged the duration of therapy, with median treatment periods of 3.5 months for the combination versus 2.4 months for monotherapy (p<0.0001).
• - Discontinuation Rates: There was a notably decreased incidence of treatment discontinuation among patients receiving the combination regimen, indicated by a hazard ratio of 0.65 (p<0.0001).

Specific Impact on Black Patients

The second study focused specifically on 639 Black patients, indicating an even more significant improvement in survival rates among patients using combined therapies. Results showed a median overall survival of 10.8 months for the combination regimen in comparison to 6.2 months for those on monotherapy (p=0.0001). These findings suggest that integrating bevacizumab not only enhances the overall prognosis but also targets survivability in populations that are often underserved in clinical research.

Dr. Harold Keer, the Chief Medical Officer of Taiho Oncology, remarked on the importance of these findings, highlighting that they reinforce the need for representative populations in clinical trials to ensure effective treatment options for all demographics affected by cancer.

About LONSURF

LONSURF is a pioneering nucleoside antitumor agent that combines trifluridine, inhibiting DNA replication in cancer cells, with tipiracil, which enhances the availability of trifluridine by inhibiting its metabolic breakdown. Thus far, LONSURF has been recognized as a treatment option for patients with previously treated mCRC and gastric cancers.

Conclusion

The findings presented by Taiho Oncology not only validate the effectiveness of LONSURF in the context of combined therapies but also represent a significant step toward improving treatment protocols specifically for underrepresented groups in cancer research. The ASCO 2025 symposium allowed crucial conversations around enhancing cancer care and ensuring that therapies meet the diverse needs of patients battling these diseases. Taiho Oncology is committed to this mission, continuing its focus on real-world evidence to guide treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes.