A Study of Cetuximab Plus Raltitrexed for Maintenance Treatment in Advanced Colorectal Cancer

A Multicenter Phase II Clinical Study of Cetuximab Plus Raltitrexed for Maintenance Treatment in Advanced Colorectal Cancer

Maintenance treatment can extend patient survival and improve patient quality of life. Bevacizumab alone or capecitabine combined with bevacizumab as a maintenance treatment have been widely used in clinical practice. In contrast, there are little datas of cetuximab as a maintenance treatment. The purpose of this study is to evaluate efficacy and safety of Raltitrexed plus Cetuximab as the maintenance treatment, and to provide a new choice for RAS wild-type colorectal cancer patients after advanced first-line chemotherapy.

Maintenance treatment can prevent the toxicity and give patients a relative buffer period to alleviate the impact of follow-up treatment on the body without reducing efficacy. Bevacizumab alone or capecitabine combined with bevacizumab as a maintenance treatment have been widely used in clinical practice. There are little datas of cetuximab as a maintenance treatment ,some studies show that Cetuximab is effective in maintenance treatment, and some studies have reported adverse effects of Capecitabine combined with Cetuximab.So it is worthwhile to explore more suitable maintenance treatment options. Raltitrexed, a TS enzyme inhibitor, is an effective chemotherapy drug for colorectal cancer. We plan to evaluate efficacy and safety of Raltitrexed plus Cetuximab in maintenance treatment. Maybe we can provide a new choice for RAS wild-type colorectal cancer patients after advanced first-line chemotherapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18-75 years old, no gender restriction;
• RAS wild-type
• Unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer confirmed by histopathology and / or cytology;
• Disease stable or improved while on first-line use of FOLFOX/FOLFIRI with cetuximab for 4-6 months;
• At least one measurable objective tumor lesion by spiral CT scan，the longest diameter measured ≧ 10 mm，or by conventional CT scan，the diameter measured ≧ 20 mm.
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) general status score is 0-2;
• Life expectancy of at least 3 months;
• Blood routine, liver and kidney function within the 7 days before screening meet the following criteria: Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1.5x10^9 / L; hemoglobin ≥ 9.0 g / dl; platelet count ≥ 80 x10^9 / L; total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN); alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase ≤ 2.5 x ULN (≤5 x ULN in patients with liver metastases); ≤3 x ULN in patients with liver metastases (≤5 x ULN in patients with liver metastases); serum creatinine ≤1.5 x ULN;
• Agree to sign informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• BRAF mutant
• Symptomatic brain or meningeal metastases (unless patients receive treatment> 6 months, imaging results are negative within 4 weeks before joining the study, and tumor-related clinical symptoms are stable before joining the study);
• Previous malignant disease within five years, with the exception of the cured primary cervical cancer or basal cell carcinoma of the skin;
• Chronic intestinal disease, infectious intestinal disease, intestinal obstruction, active clinical severe infection and other diseases;
• With ascites
• Substance abuse and medical, psychological or social conditions that may interfere with the participation of patients in the study or influence the evaluation of the results of the study;
• Unsuitable for the study or other chemotherapy determined by investigator.