TAS-102 Demonstrates Potential in Treating Colorectal Cancer

Strategic Insights -

Nicholas James Hornstein, MD, PhD, an assistant professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine of Hofstra University and Northwell Health, and an author of the phase 2 INTERCEPT-TT study, spoke with CancerNetwork about recently published results in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The study demonstrated that TAS-102, an oral chemotherapy medication, induced circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) clearance in patients with colorectal cancer who have ctDNA-defined minimal residual disease. In the trial, 47% and 36% of patients who received TAS-102 had ctDNA clearance at 3 and 6 months, respectively, compared to 6.7% at 3 months and 6.7% at 6 months in the synthetic control cohort.

Key Takeaways:

  • TAS-102 demonstrated the ability to induce ctDNA clearance in patients with colorectal cancer who have ctDNA-defined minimal residual disease.
  • The trial showed that 47% and 36% of patients who received TAS-102 had ctDNA clearance at 3 and 6 months, respectively.
  • The synthetic control cohort showed only 6.7% ctDNA clearance at both 3 and 6 months.
  • The study aimed to identify if the disease could be stopped from making a return, as there are limited treatment options for colorectal cancer after a patient has received treatment.
  • Polychemotherapy was mentioned as one of the few options available for treating refractory colorectal cancer.
  • The INTERCEPT-TT study was a phase 2 trial that tested the efficacy of TAS-102 in patients with colorectal cancer.

Statistics:

  • 47% of patients who received TAS-102 had ctDNA clearance at 3 months.
  • 36% of patients who received TAS-102 had ctDNA clearance at 6 months.
  • Synthetic control cohort showed 6.7% ctDNA clearance at 3 months (P = .0034).
  • Synthetic control cohort showed 6.7% ctDNA clearance at 6 months (P = .025).

Sources:

  • Pellatt AJ, Bent A, Hornstein N, et al. Phase II trial of TAS-102 in colorectal cancer patients with circulating tumor DNA-defined minimal residual disease after adjuvant therapy: INTERCEPT-TT. JCO Precis Oncol. 2025;9:e2500142. doi:10.1200/PO-25-00142
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