Trifluridine/tipiracil is now available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for pre-treated cancer of the stomach or gastro-oesophageal junction.

In the TAGS trial, trifluridine/tipiracil was demonstrated to significantly prolong overall survival in pre-treated gastric cancer (5.7 months vs 3.6 months) compared to placebo, with 21% of treated patients alive at 1 year.

The disease control rate was 44% for patients who had a complete or partial response to trifluridine/tipiracil, where time of deterioration of ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) performance status almost doubled (4.3 months vs 2.3 months) compared to placebo.

The incidence of treatment-related adverse effects was consistent with that seen for metastatic colorectal cancer, with haematological adverse effects markedly higher, including neutropenia, anaemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia.

References:

  1. Lonsurf® (Trifluridine / Tipiracil) Australian approved product information. Hawthorn: Servier Laboratories. Approved February 2020.
  2. Shitara K, Doi T, Dvorkin M, Mansoor W, Arkenau HT, Prokharau A, et al. Trifluridine/tipiracil versus placebo in patients with heavily pretreated metastatic gastric cancer (TAGS): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2018; 19: 1437–48.

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