This is an open-label, randomized, multi-center study in which patients with liver
dominant refractory mCRC will be randomized 2:1 to receive melphalan/HDS (2 cycles)
followed by trifluridine-tipiracil plus bevacizumab treatment (Arm A) or
trifluridine-tipiracil plus bevacizumab alone (Arm B).
Approximately 90 patients will be randomized 2:1 to the two treatment arms (Arm A, n=60;
Arm B, n=30). Patients will receive one of the following treatments:
- Arm A: Patients will be treated with melphalan/HDS 3.0 mg/kg ideal body weight (IBW)
for two treatment cycles. The second melphalan/HDS treatment will be administered 8
weeks after the first treatment with an acceptable delay of up to 2 weeks (10 weeks
total) to allow for recovery of melphalan-related toxicity, if needed. Tumor
response will be assessed every 8 weeks (± 3 days) during melphalan/HDS treatment,
i.e., prior to Cycle 2 of melphalan/HDS and prior to the start of
trifluridine-tipiracil plus bevacizumab treatment.
- Arm B: Patients will be treated with standard regimen of trifluridine-tipiracil and
bevacizumab.
In both treatment arms, treatment with trifluridine-tipiracil plus bevacizumab will
continue until disease progression, death, intolerable adverse events, consent
withdrawal, principal investigator decision, or termination of study by Sponsor.
Cross-over: There will be no cross-over between the two arms of the study. Efficacy and
Safety Assessment: Evaluation of tumor response will be determined by the local principal
investigator using RECIST 1.1 criteria. Tumor response evaluation and patient management
will be according to the principal investigator assessment of images and patients'
clinical needs. Patients with progressive disease (PD) will be discontinued from study
treatment and will be followed for survival until withdrawal of consent or death.
Study treatment will be discontinued if recovery from treatment related toxicity requires
more than 2 weeks from the end of the treatment cycle during melphalan/HDS cycles (Arm A
only), or more than a 28-day delay in the start of the next cycle of
trifluridine-tipiracil plus bevacizumab; the end of treatment (EOT) visit will be
conducted at that time or within 4 weeks.
Safety will be monitored continuously by documentation of AEs, SAEs, clinical laboratory
measurements, vital signs, and physical examination.
Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB): A DSMB including independent (non-investigator)
clinicians will oversee the emerging patient safety profile during the study. The DSMB
will review study data on a regular basis according to the DSMB Charter.