TAS-102 in gastric cancer: Development and perspectives of a new biochemically modulated fluroropyrimidine drug combination

Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2020 Aug:152:102987. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2020.102987. Epub 2020 May 21.

Abstract

TAS-102 is a preconstituted drug combination comprising an oral fluoropyrimidine (trifluridine, TFT) and a potent inhibitor of thymidine phosphorylase (tipiracil hydrochloride, TPI). TFT/TPI has recently received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval also for the treatment of gastric cancer after at least two lines of chemotherapy. The approval was based on a large phase 3 trial (TAGS), in which TAS-102 showed a 31 % decrease in the risk of death compared with placebo. Here, we review the pharmacological properties, clinical development and potential future directions of TAS-102 in gastric cancer.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; Gastric cancer; TAS-102; Third line.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Biochemical Phenomena
  • Drug Combinations
  • Humans
  • Pyrrolidines / therapeutic use*
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Thymine
  • Trifluridine / therapeutic use*
  • Uracil / analogs & derivatives*
  • Uracil / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Drug Combinations
  • Pyrrolidines
  • trifluridine tipiracil drug combination
  • Uracil
  • Thymine
  • Trifluridine