FDA approves STIVARGA® (Regorafenib) for Advanced Colorectal Cancer

SUMMARY: The FDA approved STIVARGA® (Regorafenib), an oral multi-kinase inhibitor for the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) who have progressed on 5FU, ELOXATIN® (Oxaliplatin), CAMPTOSAR® (Irinotecan), anti- VEGF and anti-EGFR therapies. The approval was based on a phase III trial in which 760 patients with metastatic CRC who had progressed after approved standard therapies, were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive either STIVARGA® plus best supportive care (BSC) or placebo plus BSC. Patients receiving STIVARGA® had a statistically significant improvement in the overall survival and progression free survival compared to placebo, without any unexpected toxicities. The most common side effects of STIVARGA® were fatigue, loss of appetite, hand-foot syndrome, diarrhea, mucositis, elevated blood pressure, and dysphonia. This important study gives a new option for individuals with advanced colorectal cancer. Grothey A, F. Sobrero AF, Siena S, et al. J Clin Oncol 30, 2012 (suppl 4; abstr LBA385)