A new medicine for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) has been recommended for approval by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Called fruquintinib, this medicine was approved for use in the US in late 2023 under the brand name Fruzaqla. In Europe, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has made this recommendation for approval based on the positive results of two phase-3 trials. These studies show that the medicine is of consistent benefit to patients with mCRC, regardless of the type of previous treatment they have received.

Fruquintinib is an oral, chemotherapy-free, anti-cancer medicine that works through inhibiting the growth of blood vessels that supply the cancer tumour, thus blocking cancer growth and spread and is an effective option for extending survival time without severely impacting quality of life.

Once diagnosed with mCRC, and coming to the point when cure is not an option, patients look for the prolongation of survival while maintaining their quality of life. For many patients in this third-line setting, current treatment possibilities may not be an option due to poor tolerability (toxicity) or unavailability, thus, fruquintinib could offer a hopeful alternative.

Author:
Fiona Beck