Dr. Bekaii-Saab on the Toxicity Differences Between Regorafenib and TAS-102 in CRC

Tanios S. Bekaii-Saab, MD, FACP, medical oncologist, medical director, Cancer Clinical Research Office, vice chair and section chief, Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, discusses the toxicity differences between regorafenib (Stivarga) and trifluridine/tipiracil (TAS-102; Lonsurf) in colorectal cancer (CRC).

Regorafenib and TAS-102 have demonstrated similar efficacy in the third-line setting for patients with CRC, says Bekaii-Saab. Moreover, because the agents have not been compared head-to-head, selecting between regorafenib and TAS-102 is largely driven by toxicity, as well as physician preference, Bekaii-Saab explains.

Regarding safety, TAS-102 may be better tolerated vs regorafenib, particularly at the beginning of treatment, Bekaii-Saab says. Toxicities tend to emerge later with TAS-102, especially in patients who are responding to the therapy. Conversely, significant toxicities can occur within the first 2 weeks of treatment with regorafenib, Bekaii-Saab says. As such, implementing a dose-escalation approach with regorafenib may improve tolerability, concludes Bekaii-Saab.