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Not yet recruitingNCT07051785ARKUpdated Jul 4, 2025

Fruquintinib vs Bevacizumab Combined With Irinotecan Liposome and Capecitabine as Second-Line Therapy for Advanced Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

A Phase 2 interventional study of Fruquintinib+Irinotecan Liposome+Capecitabine and Bevacizumab+Irinotecan Liposome+Capecitabine in Colorectal Cancer (CRC), sponsored by Liu Huang. Not yet recruiting. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 75 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-07-04.

Sponsored by Liu Huang · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
68
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 75 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This study is divided into two phases. The first phase aims to preliminarily evaluate the efficacy and safety of fruquintinib in combination with irinotecan liposome and capecitabine as second-line therapy for advanced metastatic colorectal cancer. The second phase is designed to further assess the efficacy and safety of fruquintinib in combination with irinotecan liposome and capecitabine compared to bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy, also as second-line treatment for advanced metastatic colorectal cancer.

The first phase is a single-arm study, while the second phase is a randomized (1:1) controlled trial. Entry into the second phase is determined by the investigators based on the efficacy results from the first phase study: if the primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) is met in the first phase, participants will proceed to the second phase study. In the second phase, randomization is stratified according to the RAS status and the presence of disease progression within six months of adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy.

In the second phase, patients will be ramdomly assigned to receive fruquintinib(4mg/d, PO, D1-14, Q3W) in combination with irinotecan liposome(56mg/m2, ivgtt, D1, Q3W) and capecitabine(800mg/m2, PO, BID, D1-14, Q3W) or bevacizumab(7.5mg/kg, ivgtt, D1, Q3W) in combination with the same chemotherapy. Every three weeks is a cycle.

Read the detailed description

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the gastrointestinal tract, ranking third globally in terms of incidence and second in terms of mortality. The incidence rate is higher in developed countries compared to developing countries. According to statistical data from the Chinese Cancer Center in 2018, CRC ranks third and fifth in terms of incidence and mortality, respectively. Due to its insidious onset and non-specific clinical manifestations, the early detection rate of CRC is relatively low. Approximately 50% to 60% of patients diagnosed at an advanced stage, often with metastasis.

The treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) encompasses surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. For patients with early-stage CRC, curative surgery is the primary therapeutic approach; however, recurrence and metastasis remain potential risks. In contrast, for patients with metastatic, unresectable CRC (mCRC), the treatment aims to prolong survival and improve quality of life . According to the guidelines, systemic therapy primarily involves chemotherapy and, in some cases, the combination of chemotherapy and targeted agents . Traditional chemotherapeutic agents include 5-FU, capecitabine, irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and etc.. Commonly used targeted therapies include monoclonal antibodies, such as bevacizumab and cetuximab. The use of these biologics which are blocking key pathways in the progression of mCRC has further prolonged patient survival. However, most patients with unresectable metastatic CRC experience disease progression or develop unacceptable toxicity during first-line systemic therapy, necessitating the initiation of second-line treatment.

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fruquintinib combined with irinotecan liposome and capecitabine as second-line therapy for advanced metastatic colorectal cancer in patients histopathologically confirmed unresectable colorectal cancer, who have previously failed or were intolerant to standard treatment.

This study is a multicenter, two-stage, randomized controlled trial. Participants were enrolled from patients who had previously received standard first-line therapy based on oxaliplatin, which failed or was not tolerated. The study aims to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of fruquintinib, irinotecan liposome, and capecitabine compared to bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy as second-line treatment for metastatic, unresectable colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Study Design:

Stage 1: Single-Arm Cohort

  • A total of 28 patients were enrolled in this phase.
  • Participants received fruquintinib, irinotecan liposome, and capecitabine for 6-8 cycles.
  • If no disease progression was observed after the initial treatment, patients were transitioned to maintenance therapy with fruquintinib and capecitabine.
  • Imaging assessments were conducted every 6 weeks (±7 days), and responses were evaluated according to RECIST 1.1 criteria.

Stage 2: Randomized (1:1) Controlled Trial

  • Based on the results of the first stage, investigators determined whether to proceed to the second stage. If the primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) was met in the first stage, participants were eligible for the second stage.
  • A total of 40 patients were planned to be enrolled in this phase.
  • Randomization was stratified based on RAS mutation status and disease progression within 6 months of adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy.
  • Participants were randomly assigned to two groups (A and B), each consisting of 20 patients:

    • Group A: Fruquintinib + irinotecan liposome + capecitabine
    • Group B: Bevacizumab + irinotecan liposome + capecitabine
  • After 6-8 cycles of treatment, patients who had no disease progression were transitioned to maintenance therapy:

    • Group A: Fruquintinib + capecitabine
    • Group B: Bevacizumab + capecitabine
  • Imaging assessments were conducted every 6 weeks (±7 days), and responses were evaluated according to RECIST 1.1 criteria
02

Conditions studied

  • Colorectal Cancer (CRC)

Keywords

  • Colorectal Cancer
  • Fruquintinib
  • Second-Line
03

In context

Colorectal Neoplasms

5,599 studies on the registry are indexed under Colorectal Neoplasms; 1,459 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 68 is below the median of 77 across 4,123 interventional studies indexed under Colorectal Neoplasms.

Browse Colorectal Neoplasms studies →

Lead sponsor

Liu Huang is the lead sponsor of 6 studies on the registry; 6 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 75 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  1. Patients voluntarily enrolled in the study and signed an informed consent form, were compliant and cooperated with follow-up visits;
  2. Patients with metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma confirmed by pathology or histology;
  3. Age: 18-75 (inclusive of 18 and 75), male or female;
  4. Patients who have previously failed or were intolerant to first-line standard therapy (recurrence within 6 months of the end of adjuvant chemotherapy is considered first-line treatment failure).
  5. ECOG score: 0-1;
  6. At least one measurable lesion (based on RECIST 1.1 criteria);
  7. Major organs and bone marrow function were essentially normal (no blood components or cell growth factors had been used in the 14 days prior to enrollment):

    • Neutrophil count ≥ 1.5 × 10⁹/L;
    • Platelet count ≥ 100 × 10⁹/L;
    • Hemoglobin ≥ 90 g/L;
    • Coagulation parameters: International Normalized Ratio (INR) ≤ 1.5 × ULN; Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT) ≤ 1.5 × ULN;
    • Liver function: Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 × ULN; Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) ≤ 2.5 × ULN (with an exception for patients with liver metastases, where ALT/AST may be up to 5 × ULN);
    • Renal function: Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 × ULN; Creatinine clearance (CCr) ≥ 50 mL/min.
  8. Female participants of reproductive age must undergo a serum or urinalysis that shows no pregnancy within 14 days before the first dose of study treatment. Male or female patients of childbearing potential will voluntarily use an effective method of contraception, e.g., double-barrier contraception, condoms, oral or injectable contraceptives, intrauterine devices, etc., during the study period and for at least 6 months after the last dose of study medication.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria:

  1. History of major surgery or severe trauma within 4 weeks prior to the initiation of the study drug.
  2. Use of immunosuppressive agents, including systemic or locally absorbed corticosteroids, for immunosuppressive purposes, with a daily dose of prednisone >10 mg or equivalent, and continued us within 2 weeks prior to enrollment.
  3. Prior exposure to any irinotecan-containing chemotherapy regimen.
  4. Reception of live attenuated vaccines within 4 weeks prior to the initiation of the study drug.
  5. Prior treatment with anti-angiogenic small-molecule targeted therapy.
  6. Presence of any active autoimmune disease or a history of autoimmune disorders (e.g., autoimmune hepatitis, interstitial pneumonia, uveitis, enteritis, hepatitis, hypopituitarism, vasculitis, nephritis and etc.; not include vitiligo or childhood asthma that has fully resolved and does not require intervention in adulthood; asthma requiring bronchodilator therapy for medical management is included).
  7. History of other malignancies within the past 5 years, except for curatively resected skin basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or cervical carcinoma in situ.
  8. Congenital or acquired immunodeficiency (e.g., HIV) or active hepatitis (e.g., hepatitis B: HBsAg positive and HBV DNA ≥ 10⁴ copies/mL or >2000 IU/mL; hepatitis C: HCV antibody positive).
  9. Uncontrolled cardiac clinical symptoms or diseases, including: (1) NYHA classification >2 heart failure; (2) Unstable angina pectoris; (3) Myocardial infarction within 1 year; (4) Clinically significant supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmias requiring treatment or intervention.
  10. Hypertension that is not well-controlled with antihypertensive medication (systolic blood pressure ≥ 150 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 100 mmHg).
  11. Active or uncontrolled severe infections (≥ CTCAE grade 2 infection).
  12. Urine routine suggests urinary protein ≥2+ and the amount of urinary protein >1.0g in 24 hours.
  13. Patients with evidence or history of significant bleeding tendency within 3 months prior to enrollment (bleeding >30 mL within 3 months, vomiting blood, black stool, blood in stool), hemoptysis (>5 mL of fresh blood within 4 weeks), or a thromboembolic event (including stroke events and/or transient ischemic attack) within 12 months;
  14. Active peptic ulcer disease, ulcerative colitis, or uncontrolled gastrointestinal bleeding, or any gastrointestinal condition judged by the investigator, which may cause gastrointestinal bleeding, perforation, or bowel obstruction.
  15. Female participants who are pregnant (positive pregnancy test prior to drug administration) or are breastfeeding;.
  16. Patients who are allergic to the study drug or excipients.
  17. Any other conditions judged by the investigator which can potentially affect the study outcomes or compromise the safety or adherence of the participants, such as drug abuse, serious diseases (including psychiatric conditions like epilepsy), or other medical, psychological, or social factors that may endanger participant safety or adherence.
05

Study design

Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Double (Participant, Investigator)
Enrollment
68 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Fruquintinib+Irinotecan Liposome+Capecitabine

    fruquintinib(4mg/d, PO, D1-14, Q3W) + irinotecan liposome(56mg/m2, ivgtt, D1, Q3W) + capecitabine(800mg/m2, PO, BID, D1-14, Q3W), every three weeks is a cycle.

    Drug: Fruquintinib+Irinotecan Liposome+Capecitabine

  • Active comparator
    Bevacizumab+Irinotecan Liposome+Capecitabine

    bevacizumab(7.5mg/kg, ivgtt, D1, Q3W)+irinotecan liposome(56mg/m2, ivgtt, D1, Q3W) + capecitabine(800mg/m2, PO, BID, D1-14, Q3W), every three weeks is a cycle.

    Drug: Bevacizumab+Irinotecan Liposome+Capecitabine

Interventions

  • DrugFruquintinib+Irinotecan Liposome+Capecitabine

    Stage 1: Participants received fruquintinib, irinotecan liposome, and capecitabine for 6-8 cycles. If no disease progression was observed after the initial treatment, patients were transitioned to maintenance therapy with fruquintinib and capecitabine. Stage 2: if the primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) was met in the first stage, participants were eligible for the second stage. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups (A and B), Group A: Fruquintinib + irinotecan liposome + capecitabine. After 6-8 cycles of treatment, patients who had no disease progression were transitioned to maintenance therapy with Fruquintinib + capecitabine

  • DrugBevacizumab+Irinotecan Liposome+Capecitabine

    Stage 2: if the primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) was met in the first stage, participants were eligible for the second stage. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups (A and B), Group B: Bevacizumab + irinotecan liposome + capecitabine. After 6-8 cycles of treatment, patients who had no disease progression were transitioned to maintenance therapy with bevacizumab + capecitabine

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Progression-free Survival (PFS)

    time from randomization to the first documented disease progression or death due to any cause, whichever occurs first. Responses are according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) as assessed by investigator

    Time frame: one year

Secondary outcomes

  1. Objective Response Rate (ORR)

    the proportion of patients with complete response or partial response, using RECIST v 1.1.

    Time frame: one year

  2. Disease Control Rate (DCR)

    the proportion of patients with complete response, partial response or stable disease, using RECIST v 1.1.

    Time frame: one year

  3. Overall survival (OS)

    time from randomization to death from any cause

    Time frame: two years

07

Study locations

No study locations are listed for this record.

08

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jul 4, 2025, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
09

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07051785
Lead sponsor
Liu Huang
Responsible party
Liu Huang (Professor, Tongji Hospital) — Sponsor-investigator
First posted
Jul 4, 2025
Start date
Jul 7, 2025 (estimated)
Primary completion
Jul 6, 2027 (estimated)
Completion
Jul 6, 2028 (estimated)
Last update
Jul 4, 2025

Oversight

FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Jun 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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