Aflibercept with FOLFIRI in Japanese patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: results of a post-marketing surveillance

BACKGROUND: Safety and effectiveness of aflibercept with 5‐fluorouracil/levofolinate/irinotecan have not been reported in Japanese patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) in a real-world clinical setting. METHODS: This post-marketing surveillance enrolled patients with un-resectable advanced or recurrent mCRC who were prescribed aflibercept from December 2017 to June 2019 in Japan. Data, collected up to 1 year from starting treatment, included patient background, safety, and effectiveness assessed by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 or physician’s evaluation. RESULTS: Of 261 patients registered from 64 centers, 235 [53.2% male with a median age of 67 years (range 28–84)] received treatment and were included in the safety analysis. Aflibercept was received at 1st, 2nd, and ≥ 3rd line in 1.3%, 48.1%, and 50.2% of patients, respectively. Median number of treatment cycles was 6 (range 1–22) and relative dose intensity was 75.4% (range 14.3–101.8%). Adverse events (all grades) were reported in 88.5% of patients, including neutropenia (34.5%), proteinuria (24.7%), hypertension (17.0%), diarrhea (17.0%), and decreased appetite (15.3%). Three treatment-related deaths occurred by perforation of the digestive tract, pneumonia and gastrointestinal bleeding, and sudden death. The effectiveness analysis included 198 patients. Overall response rate was 6.1% (1st line, 0%; 2nd line, 10.1%; ≥ 3rd line, 2.1%) and disease control rate was 47.5% (1st line, 100%; 2nd line, 58.6%; ≥ 3rd line, 34.4%). CONCLUSION: No new risks of aflibercept were identified in real clinical practice. Effectiveness in patients at the 2nd line was consistent with previous reports. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10147-022-02259-w.