Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (RAS-wildtype) After Response to First-line Treatment With FOLFIR Plus Cetuximab (AIO-KRK-0114)

A Randomised Study to Assess the Efficacy of Cetuximab Rechallenge in Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (RAS Wild-type) Responding to First-line Treatment With FOLFIRI Plus Cetuximab

The FIRE-4 study aims to define a treatment concept for patients with RAS wild-type tumours, optimised with regard to overall survival. The first-line treatment will be conducted with FOLFIRI plus cetuximab, which resulted in a significantly prolonged overall survival versus bevacizumab in the FIRE-3 study. Following initial progression (PD1) it is recommended that the treatment be continued with FOLFOX plus bevacizumab, as this concept led to significantly prolonged survival in the E3200 study. Owing to the encouraging results of the Santini study , a cetuximab rechallenge in combination with irinotecan-based chemotherapy is to be performed as part of the third-line treatment in patients who showed a response defined according to RECIST 1.1 during the first-line treatment (tumour diameter < -30%) or presented with stable tumour disease for at least 6 months (tumour diameter +20 to -30%). The concept of the ideal sequence has not yet been studied to date in a clinical trial.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Irinotecan; Drug: Folinic Acid; Drug: 5-FU; Drug: 5-FU; Drug: Cetuximab; Drug: Bevacizumab; Drug: Capecitabine; Drug: regorafenib; Drug: Irinotecan 125mg; Drug: Cetuximab wkly

Detailed Description

The study will begin with FPFV: (first study visit of the first patient, signing the declaration of consent to participate in the study): scheduled for the 4th quarter of 2014

Patient recruitment: 36 months

Treatment duration per patient: Until the time of progression under the third-line treatment at the latest. Anticipated individual duration of treatment: 24 months (for patients who undergo all three treatment lines -included in part 1), or 6 months in patients who only receive third line treatment (included directly in part 2)

Duration of follow-up after the end of treatment: For all patients, until death or for at least 1 year following final termination of any study treatment regardless of the treatment line. In so doing, the follow-up period for patients included in part 1 of the study will be conducted for a maximum of 5 years from the time of randomisation 1; and for patients included in only part 2 of the study (third-line treatment), for a maximum of 3 years from the date of randomisation 2.

End of the study: last follow-up visit of the last study patient scheduled for the 4th quarter of 2020

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 673
• Phase: Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Germany
  • Munich, Germany, 81377
    • Klinikum der Universitaet Muenchen - Campus Grosshadern

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 14 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Histologically confirmed, UICC stage IV adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum (metastatic colorectal cancer), primarily nonresectable or with surgery refused by the patient
• RAS wild-type tumour status (KRAS and NRAS exon 2-4) (proven in the primary tumour or metastasis) at any timepoint of randomisation
• Age ≥18
• ECOG performance status 0-1
• Patients suitable for chemotherapy administration
• Patient's written declaration of consent obtained
• Estimated life expectancy > 3 months
• Presence of at least one measurable reference lesion according to the RECIST 1.1 criteria (chest and abdominal CT 4 weeks or less before randomisation)
• Primary tumour tissue available and patient consents to storage and molecular and genetic profiling of blood, plasma and tumour material (patients included directly at Part 2 of the study in whom primary tumour material is no longer available may be included in the study, provided that tumour material from the compulsory biopsy on progression following second-line treatment is available).
• Effective contraceptive measures in men and in women of childbearing age (Pearl index <1)

• Adequate haematopoietic function:

  • Leukocytes ≥ 3.0 x 109/L with neutrophils ≥ 1.5 x 109/L
  • Thrombocytes ≥ 100 x 109/L,
  • Haemoglobin ≥ 5.6 mmol/L (equivalent to 9 g/dL)

• Adequate hepatic function:

  • Serum bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x upper normal limit,
  • ALAT and ASAT ≤ 2.5 x upper normal limit (in the presence of hepatic metastases, ALAT and ASAT ≤ 5 x upper normal limit)
• INR < 1.5 and aPTT < 1.5 x upper normal limit (patients without anticoagulation). Therapeutic anticoagulation is allowed if INR and aPTT have remained stable within the therapeutic range for at least 2 weeks.

• Adequate renal function:

  • Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 x upper normal limit or creatinine clearance (calculated according to Cockcroft and Gault) ≥ 50ml/min.
• adequate cardiac function: ECG and echocardiogram with a LVEF of ≥55%
• Any significant toxicities of previous treatments must have resolved or stabilised
• Last administration of an anti-EGFR substance ≥ 4 months before randomisation 2

Inclusion criterion solely for Part 1:

• No previous chemotherapy for metastatic disease
• Time since last administration of a previous adjuvant chemotherapy >6 months

Additional inclusion criteria solely for Part 2:

• Former first-line treatment of the metastatic colorectal cancer with FOLFIRI and cetuximab; data available for the duration of treatment and the response within the context of first-line treatment
• Former second-line treatment of the colorectal cancer without FOLFIRI, irinotecan or an anti-EGFR substance with data available for the substances administered, duration of treatment and response within the context of the second-line treatment
• Proof of a RAS wild-type tumour (KRAS and NRAS exons 2-4) in a tumour biopsy (metastasis) within 4 weeks before randomisation
• CT examinations with evidence of a partial response (PR) or complete response (CR) or stable disease (SD) ≥6 months according to RECIST Version 1.1 criteria as best response within the context of the first-line treatment with FOLFIRI and cetuximab

Exclusion Criteria:

• Proof of a RAS mutation (KRAS or NRAS, exons 2-4 in the tumour (proven in the primary tumour or metastasis) or absence of testing for RAS mutation
• Primarily resectable metastases and the patient wishes for resection
• Grade III or IV heart failure (NYHA classification)
• Myocardial infarction, unstable angina pectoris, balloon angioplasty (PTCA) with or without stenting within the past 12 months before inclusion in the study
• Pregnancy (exclusion to be ascertained by a beta hCG test) or breast feeding
• Medical or psychological impairments associated with restricted ability to give consent or not allowing conduct of the study
• Additional cancer treatment (chemotherapy, radiation, immune therapy or hormone treatment) during the study treatment in first-line and third-line treatment (treatments that are conducted as part of an anthroposophic or homeopathic treatment approach, e.g. mistletoe therapy do not represent an exclusion criterion)
• Previous chemotherapy for the colorectal cancer with the exception of adjuvant treatment, completed at least 6 months before entering the study (exclusion criterion solely for part 1)
• Participation in a clinical study or experimental drug treatment within 30 days prior to inclusion or during participation in the study
• Known hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to any of the following substances: 5-fluorouracil, cetuximab, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, bevacizumab and chemically related substances
• Known or clinically suspected brain metastases
• History of acute or subacute intestinal occlusion or chronic inflammatory bowel disease or chronic diarrhoea
• Symptomatic peritoneal carcinosis
• Severe, non-healing wounds, ulcers or bone fractures
• Uncontrolled hypertension
• Marked proteinuria (nephrotic syndrome)
• Arterial thromboemboli or severe haemorrhage within 6 months prior to inclusion in the study (with the exception of tumour bleeding before tumour resection surgery)
• Haemorrhagic diathesis or tendency towards thrombosis
• Known DPD deficiency (specific screening not required)
• Known glucuronidation deficiency (Gilbert's syndrome) (specific screening not required)
• History of a second malignancy during the past 5 years before inclusion in the study or during participation in the study, with the exception of a dermal basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma or cervical carcinoma in situ, if these were treated curatively.
• Known history of alcohol or drug abuse
• A significant concomitant disease which, in the investigating physician's opinion, rules out the patient's participation in the study
• Absent or restricted legal capacity

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

5

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: A1; FOLFIRI plus cetuximab: one cycle (cycle duration 14 days) consists of Irinotecan, Folinic acid 5-FU, cetuximab Administration every two weeks until progression in first-line or emergence of unacceptable toxicity. De-escalation (e.g. to irinotecan plus cetuximab or FUFA plus cetuximab) is allowed, but cetuximab should be administered until progression if safety is adequate.	Drug: Irinotecan; Irinotecan 180 mg/m² iv, 30 - 90 min., day 1, q d15; Other Names: Campto; Drug: Folinic Acid; Folinic acid (racemic) 400 mg/m² iv, 120 min. day 1, q d15; Other Names: Folgamma mono; Drug: 5-FU; 5-FU 400 mg/m² bolus day 1, q d15; Other Names: Fluorouracil; Drug: 5-FU; 5-FU 2400 mg/m² iv over 46 h day 1-2, q d15; Other Names: Fluorouracil; Drug: Cetuximab; cetuximab initially 400 mg/m² as a 120 min. infusion (≤ 5mg/min); subsequently 250 mg/m² iv respectively as a 60 min. infusion (≤ 10mg/min) day 1 + 8; Other Names: Erbitux
Experimental: B1; FOLFIRI plus cetuximab: one cycle (cycle duration 14 days) consists of Irinotecan, Folinic acid 5-FU, cetuximab Administration every 2 weeks for a maximum of 12 cycles; Treatment may be de-escalated to irinotecan plus cetuximab or FUFA plus cetuximab, prior to 12 cycles, for toxicity if necessary, if the best response has been SD,; Treatment may undergo 'switchover' to a fluoropyrimidine and bevacizumab, between 8 and 12 cycles, for toxicity if necessary, if the best response has been CR or PR,	Drug: Irinotecan; Irinotecan 180 mg/m² iv, 30 - 90 min., day 1, q d15; Other Names: Campto; Drug: Folinic Acid; Folinic acid (racemic) 400 mg/m² iv, 120 min. day 1, q d15; Other Names: Folgamma mono; Drug: 5-FU; 5-FU 400 mg/m² bolus day 1, q d15; Other Names: Fluorouracil; Drug: 5-FU; 5-FU 2400 mg/m² iv over 46 h day 1-2, q d15; Other Names: Fluorouracil; Drug: Cetuximab; cetuximab initially 400 mg/m² as a 120 min. infusion (≤ 5mg/min); subsequently 250 mg/m² iv respectively as a 60 min. infusion (≤ 10mg/min) day 1 + 8; Other Names: Erbitux
Experimental: B1 Switchover regimens; Switchover to FUFA plus bevacizumab every three weeks (cycle duration 21 days) until progression in first-line or emergence of unacceptable toxicity. Folinic acid, 5-FU, Bevacizumab 1st administration 90 min. in case of good safety, the second 60 min. further administration 30 min. Or alternatively Switchover to capecitabine plus bevacizumab every three weeks (cycle duration 21 days) until progression in the first-line or emergence of unacceptable toxicity.	Drug: Folinic Acid; Folinic acid (racemic) 400 mg/m² iv, 120 min. day 1, q d15; Other Names: Folgamma mono; Drug: 5-FU; 5-FU 400 mg/m² bolus day 1, q d15; Other Names: Fluorouracil; Drug: 5-FU; 5-FU 2400 mg/m² iv over 46 h day 1-2, q d15; Other Names: Fluorouracil; Drug: Bevacizumab; Bevacizumab 7.5 mg/kg BW iv over 30 to 90 minutes: day 1; Other Names: Avastin; Drug: Capecitabine; Capecitabine 1250 mg/m2 2 x day p.o. day 1-14, q d15; Other Names: Xeloda
Active Comparator: A2 (third line); Treatment at the treating physician's discretion depending on the patient's general condition, with the exclusion of any anti-EGFR treatment whatsoever (such as for example cetuximab, panitumumab). Recommendations include Regorafenib in line with Grothey A et al, Lancet. 2013 or alternatively another anti-EGFR-free treatment according to the investigating physician's choice Administration until progression occurs in the third line or unacceptable toxicity	Drug: regorafenib; 160 mg per day (day 1-21) (repeated on day 28); Other Names: CAS #:755037-03-7
Experimental: B2 (third line); one cycle (cycle duration 14 days) consists of Irinotecan 125mg, Folinic acid, 5-FU, cetuximab wkly Administration every 2 weeks until progression occurs in the third line or unacceptable toxicity or depending on the patient's general condition and the study physician's decision Irinotecan plus cetuximab in line with Cunningham D et al, N Engl J Med. 2004	Drug: Irinotecan; Irinotecan 180 mg/m² iv, 30 - 90 min., day 1, q d15; Other Names: Campto; Drug: Folinic Acid; Folinic acid (racemic) 400 mg/m² iv, 120 min. day 1, q d15; Other Names: Folgamma mono; Drug: 5-FU; 5-FU 400 mg/m² bolus day 1, q d15; Other Names: Fluorouracil; Drug: 5-FU; 5-FU 2400 mg/m² iv over 46 h day 1-2, q d15; Other Names: Fluorouracil; Drug: Cetuximab; cetuximab initially 400 mg/m² as a 120 min. infusion (≤ 5mg/min); subsequently 250 mg/m² iv respectively as a 60 min. infusion (≤ 10mg/min) day 1 + 8; Other Names: Erbitux; Drug: Irinotecan 125mg; Irinotecan 125 mg/m² iv, 60 - 90 min. weekly (D1, D8, D15, D22); Other Names: Campto; Drug: Cetuximab wkly; Cetuximab initially 400 mg/m² as a 120 min. infusion (≤ 5mg/min); subsequently 250 mg/m² iv respectively as a 60 min. infusion (≤ 10mg/min) weekly (D1, D8, D15, D22, D29, D36); Other Names: Erbitux

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Overall Survival	overall survival from randomisation to third-line treatment (OS3) under cetuximab rechallenge versus an anti-EGFR-free treatment in patients responding to treatment with cetuximab	up to 55 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Response Rate	Response rate ORR1, 2 & 3 (assessment of ORR 1 and ORR 2 only if the patient was already included in part 1 of the study)	up to 55 months
Progression-free survival	Progression-free survival PFS1, 2 & 3 (assessment of PFS 1 and PFS 2 only if the patient was already included in part 1 of the study)	up to 55 months
Overall Survival (first-line treatment)	Overall survival (OS1) from randomisation to first-line treatment (assessment only if the patient was already included in part 1 of the study)	up to 55 months
Depth of Response	Investigation of depth of response during first-line treatment and third-line treatment.	up to 55 months
Early tumor shrinkage	Investigation of early tumour shrinkage during first-line treatment and third-line treatment.	up to 55 months
molecular biomarkers	Study of molecular biomarkers for prediction of sensitivity and secondary resistance to an anti-EGFR treatment with cetuximab (including tumour biopsies and liquid biopsies from blood samples)	up to 67 months
Biomarker Score	Prospective validation of a biomarker score (RAS and BRAF)	up to 67 months
tumour marker	Prospective analysis of tumour marker evolution (CEA and CA 19-9)	up to 55 months
Safety and tolerance as measured by the NCI-CTCAE version 4.03 criteria	Recording of the safety and tolerance (NCI-CTCAE version 4.03 criteria) of the first-line and third-line treatment	up to 55 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Ludwig-Maximilians - University of Munich
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Volker Heinemann, Prof. Dr., Maximilians University of Munich, Comprehensive Cancer Center and Medical Dept. III

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: March 1, 2015
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 30, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): January 30, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 19, 2015
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 13, 2016
• First Posted (Estimated): October 17, 2016

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 16, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 11, 2025
• Last Verified: April 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Intestinal Diseases; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Digestive System Neoplasms; Digestive System Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Intestinal Neoplasms; Rectal Diseases; Colonic Diseases; Colorectal Neoplasms; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Antineoplastic Agents; Immunosuppressive Agents; Immunologic Factors; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Enzyme Inhibitors; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; Antimetabolites; Micronutrients; Topoisomerase I Inhibitors; Topoisomerase Inhibitors; Protective Agents; Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Angiogenesis Modulating Agents; Growth Substances; Growth Inhibitors; Antidotes; Vitamin B Complex; Vitamins; Hematinics; Capecitabine; Bevacizumab; Irinotecan; Cetuximab; Fluorouracil; Leucovorin; Levoleucovorin; Folic Acid
• Other Study ID Numbers: FIRE-4; 2014-003787-21 (EudraCT Number)