Discover Groundbreaking Real-World Insights on LONSURF® from Taiho Oncology at the ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium

Recent studies have shown that combining LONSURF® (trifluridine/tipiracil) with bevacizumab significantly enhances treatment effectiveness for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). This improvement is particularly noteworthy among Black patients with the disease.

Taiho Oncology, a company dedicated to developing innovative cancer treatments, will present these real-world findings at the American Society of Clinical Oncology 2025 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium in San Francisco from January 23-25.

The data comes from two major studies that highlight the advantages of using LONSURF alongside bevacizumab instead of using LONSURF alone. LONSURF, taken as a pill, combines trifluridine, a chemotherapy agent, with tipiracil, which helps keep the chemotherapy active in the body longer. In the U.S., it’s approved for use alone or with bevacizumab, a drug that targets blood vessel growth.

Dr. Tehseen Salimi, Senior VP of Medical Affairs at Taiho Oncology, expressed excitement about presenting the evidence that LONSURF significantly benefits mCRC patients. The studies aim to improve treatment outcomes while easing the burdens on patients.

In the larger study, researchers analyzed data from 3,680 adult patients with mCRC. Among them, 3,151 received LONSURF alone, while 529 got the combination treatment with bevacizumab. Results indicated that patients using the combination had a median overall survival of 9.4 months compared to just 6.4 months for those on LONSURF alone—a meaningful improvement.

The combination treatment also led to longer treatment durations. Those using both drugs stayed on treatment for a median of 3.5 months compared to 2.4 months for those on LONSURF alone. Additionally, the combination reduced the likelihood of treatment discontinuation.

A second study focused specifically on Black patients, involving 639 individuals. Among these, 551 received only LONSURF, while 88 received both treatments. The combination again showed a promising increase in overall survival, with a median of 10.8 months compared to 6.2 months for LONSURF alone. The risk of death was significantly reduced in patients who received both LONSURF and bevacizumab.

These findings are among the most extensive real-world studies available and build on prior clinical trial results that supported the combination treatment’s effectiveness. Dr. Harold Keer, Chief Medical Officer at Taiho, emphasized the importance of ensuring diverse patient representation in research, especially for underrepresented groups like Black patients who face higher rates of colorectal cancer.

LONSURF is an oral medication designed to treat adults with mCRC and certain gastric cancers after other treatments. It can be used alone or in combination with drugs like bevacizumab. It’s crucial for healthcare providers to monitor patients closely for side effects, especially myelosuppression, which can lead to serious complications.

Taiho Oncology aims to not only create effective cancer treatments but also contribute valuable insights into treatment impacts on various patient groups. By sharing this data, they hope to improve care and outcomes for all patients suffering from cancer.