Erbitux MEtastatic Colorectal Cancer Strategy Study

Survival of patients undergoing therapy with FOLFIRI + cetuximab seems to be related to the ability of this treatment to induce a rapid reduction in tumor mass. In the retrospective analyses of the FIRE-3 trial ETS was significantly associated with PFS and OS, suggesting that ETS reflects the existence of a selected population of patients highly sensitive to cetuximab. This permits the assumption that, once this goal has been achieved, further exposure to combined antineoplastic treatment (cytotoxic drugs and targeted therapy) may not result in improvement or preservation of the result, but only in an increase of side effects that will be additional to unavoidable disease progression. In addition, the heavy exposure to cytotoxic antineoplastic treatments may lead to bone marrow toxicity, hepatic and renal function decreases that could compromise the sequential treatment plan, negatively affecting OS. With the availability of an effective treatment such as cetuximab in monotherapy4 without major side effects on blood counts and liver and kidney function, the use of this treatment alone after achievement of the deepest clinical response could be a viable strategy to achieve a good control of the disease, limiting side effects. As shown in several studies designed to understand the most effective treatment sequence in colorectal carcinoma, the most important factor that influences the overall survival is the possibility to administer more lines of effective therapy. As a consequence, a de-intensifying strategy in a subgroup of highly selected RAS and BRAF WT population might segregate a group of patients with the largest potential for fast-primary treatment. Joining the best induction treatment with the expression of patients capability to undergo additional lines of antineoplastic therapy may be the way to optimize the continuum of care.

Recently, several mechanisms of resistance to anti-EGFR therapy have been described, but until now none may used early in order to support the treatment choice.Moreover, assessment of secondary resistance requires further tissue samples and often it is not really feasible. Therefore, a prospective multiple gene mutation analysis could meet the need of characterizing primary resistance, whereas liquid biopsy might help to recognize resistance occurring early during treatment by means of a simple and repeatable assay. Based on all these considerations, the investigators designed a strategy study: a phase III randomized two arm study with FOLFIRI + cetuximab until disease progression compared to FOLFIRI + cetuximab for 8 cycles followed by cetuximab alone until disease progression in the first line treatment of patients with RAS and BRAF WT metastatic colorectal cancer combined with a prospective multiple gene mutation analysis of both tumor tissue and blood.

Inclusion criteria

• Histologically proven diagnosis of colorectal adenocarcinoma
• Diagnosis of metastatic disease
• RAS and BRAF wildtype
• Measurable disease according to RECIST criteria v1.1
• Male or female over 18 years of age
• ECOG Performance Status 2
• Life expectancy of at least 3 months
• Adequate bone marrow, liver and renal function assessed within 14 days before starting study treatment
• If female and of childbearing potential, have a negative result on a pregnancy test performed a maximum of 7 days before initiation of study treatment
• If female and of childbearing potential, or if male, agreement to use adequate contraception
• Signed informed consent obtained at screening

Exclusion criteria

• Any contraindication to use cetuximab, irinotecan, 5 FU or folinic acid
• Active uncontrolled infections or active disseminated intravascular coagulation
• Past or current history of malignancies other than colorectal carcinoma, except for curatively treated basal and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or in situ carcinoma of the cervix
• Pregnancy.
• Breastfeeding.
• Grade III or IV heart failure (NYHA classification)
• Myocardial infarction, unstable angina pectoris, balloon angioplasty (PTCA) with or without stenting within the past 12 months before inclusion in the study
• Cardiac arrhythmias requiring anti-arrhythmic therapy, with the exception of beta blockers or digoxin
• Medical or psychological impairments associated with restricted ability to give consent or not allowing conduct of the study
• Previous chemotherapy for colorectal cancer with the exception of adjuvant treatment, completed at least 6 months before entering the study
• Participation in a clinical study or experimental drug treatment within 30 days prior to study inclusion or during participation in the study
• Known or clinically suspected brain metastases
• History of acute or subacute intestinal occlusion or chronic inflammatory bowel disease or chronic diarrhoea
• Severe, non-healing wounds, ulcers or bone fractures
• Uncontrolled hypertension
• Marked proteinuria (nephrotic syndrome)
• Known DPD deficiency (specific screening not required)
• Known history of alcohol or drug abuse
• A significant concomitant disease which, in the investigating physician's opinion, rules out the patient's participation in the study
• Absent or restricted legal capacity