Anticancer effects of PEP06 (TB01) in combination with Trifluridine/Tipiracil (TAS-102) in a xenograft model of human colorectal cancer.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer globally, with advanced stages presenting significant treatment challenges. Recently years, drug combination therapy has become a promising strategy for cancer treatment.

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of the combination of the anti-angiogenic drug PEP06 (TB01) and the cytotoxic drug Trifluridine/Tipiracil (TAS-102) in human CRC HCT-116 xenograft mouse model. And quantitative assessment of the interaction between TB01 and TAS-102 in the treatment based on pharmacological effects.

Methods: This study utilized the human CRC HCT-116 xenograft nude mouse model to evaluate the antitumor effects of TAS-102 and TB01, both as mono-therapies and in combination therapies.

Results: The combination therapy not only demonstrated significantly inhibited tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner, but also seems to reduce the common toxicity associated with such treatments, as shown by the maintenance of body weights in the treated mice.

Conclusion: The synergistic effect observed from the combined use of TAS-102 and TB01 suggests a promising new treatment avenue for refractory CRC patients, meriting further investigation and potential clinical application.