Irinotecan, cetuximab, and vemurafenib improve progression-free survival in BRAFV600E<\/sup><\/em>-mutated colorectal cancer<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n <\/b><\/p>\n <\/b><\/p>\n MONDAY, Dec. 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Irinotecan and cetuximab combined with vemurafenib improve progression-free survival in BRAFV600E<\/sup><\/em>-mutated colorectal cancer (CRC), according to a study published online Dec. 23 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.<\/em><\/p>\n Scott Kopetz, M.D., Ph.D., from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and colleagues randomly assigned 106 patients with BRAFV600E<\/sup><\/em>-mutated metastatic CRC previously treated with one or two regimens to receive irinotecan and cetuximab with or without vemurafenib.<\/p>\n The researchers observed improvement in the primary end point of progression-free survival with the addition of vemurafenib (hazard ratio, 0.50). Significant improvements were also seen in the response rate (17 versus 4 percent) and disease control rate (65 versus 21 percent). In 87 versus 0 percent of patients, a decrease in circulating tumor DNA BRAFV600E<\/sup><\/em> variant allele frequency was observed, with a low incidence of acquired RAS alterations at the time of progression. Based on RNA profiling, treatment benefit was not dependent on previously established BRAF<\/em> subgroups or the consensus molecular subtype.<\/p>\n “The addition of vemurafenib to cetuximab and irinotecan represents an active combination that improves progression-free survival<\/strong>,” the authors write. “This represents a rationally designed study building on a foundation of understanding of the mechanisms of adaptive resistance in CRC and provides insights for further combination studies in the CRC field in the future.”<\/p>\n Several authors disclosed financial ties to biopharmaceutical companies, including Genentech, which manufactures vemurafenib and partially funded the study.<\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n <\/i><\/p>\n