Trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) is an orally active formulation of trifluridine, a thymidine-based nucleoside analog, and tipiracil hydrochloride, a thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor that increases the bioavailability of trifluridine. Preliminary studies of FTD/TPI plus bevacizumab have produced encouraging results in the treatment of refractory metastatic colorectal cancer. Here, we describe the design of the multinational Phase III SUNLIGHT, an open-label study of FTD/TPI plus bevacizumab as third-line treatment for patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer. A total of 490 patients will be randomized 1:1 to receive either FTD/TPI plus bevacizumab, or FTD/TPI monotherapy. The primary objective is to significantly improve overall survival with FTD/TPI plus bevacizumab compared with FTD/TPI monotherapy. The first patient was enrolled in November 2020.
Keywords: FTD/TPI; Phase III; bevacizumab; metastatic colorectal cancer; randomized controlled trial; refractory; third line; trifluridine/tipiracil.