Prospective National Cohort Evaluating Prognostic Factors for Efficacy of Fruquintinib Treatment in Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Fruquintinib (a novel, highly selective oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting VEGFR-1, -2, and -3) has demonstrated efficacy in chemotherapy-resistant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) in two phase III trials, FRESCO and FRESCO-2. In France, fruquintinib has been available through compassionate use since January 16, 2024, for all patients with chemotherapy-refractory mCRC, and its reimbursement is expected in the coming months. However, limited real-world data are currently available regarding the use of this new treatment and the identification of predictive factors of its efficacy, both clinically and biologically.

Moreover, there is a significant lack of information concerning older patients (≥70 years), who are often underrepresented in registration trials. This cohort will therefore provide a unique opportunity to gather specific data in elderly patients, including the integration of geriatric assessment parameters.

The main objectives of this cohort will be to validate, in routine clinical practice, the survival and safety outcomes observed in the FRESCO-2 trial, and to identify clinical and biological prognostic and predictive factors of survival in patients treated with fruquintinib.

As such, the COFRUQ cohort could help identify patients who derive the greatest survival benefit from fruquintinib and thereby contribute to optimizing their therapeutic pathway.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients aged 18 and over.
• Histologically confirmed colorectal adenocarcinoma with locally advanced disease and/or unresectable metastasis(es) receiving treatment with fruquintinib under i) compassionate/early access and ii) marketing authorisation and reimbursement in France.
• Obtain informed consent from the patient for the clinical-biological cohort.
• Agreement to take biological samples of ctDNA and send tumour blocks (patient participation in the pharmacokinetic study remains optional).

Exclusion criteria

• Patient with another concurrent cancer at the time of diagnosis, requiring systemic treatment or influencing prognosis (in the opinion of the centre's medical team).
• Contraindication due to psychological or social reasons that may hinder follow-up (cognitive deficit, psychological disorders incompatible with obtaining consent; inability to be followed in the same centre throughout the follow-up period for geographical reasons).
• Pregnant or breast-feeding women.
• Patients under court protection or subject to a protective measure (patient under guardianship or curatorship).