Get your patient on Fruzaqla (Fruquintinib)

The recommended dose of FRUZAQLA is 5 mg orally once daily for the first 21 days of each 28-day cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Take FRUZAQLA with or without food [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] at approximately the same time each day.

Swallow the FRUZAQLA capsule whole.

Take a missed dose if less than 12 hours have passed since the missed scheduled dose. Do not take two doses on the same day to make up for a missed dose.

Do not take an additional dose if vomiting occurs after taking FRUZAQLA but continue with the next scheduled dose.

The recommended dose reductions for adverse reactions are provided in Table 1.

Permanently discontinue FRUZAQLA in patients unable to tolerate 3 mg orally once daily.

The recommended dosage modifications for adverse reactions are provided in Table 2.

The safety and efficacy of FRUZAQLA in patients younger than 18 years of age have not been established.

In FRESCO-2, 212 (46%) patients who received FRUZAQLA were ≥65 years of age and older, of whom 43 (20%) of patients were ≥75 years. There were no observed overall differences in safety and effectiveness of FRUZAQLA in geriatric compared to younger patients.

Of the total number of FRUZAQLA-treated patients in the FRESCO study, 50 (18%) were 65 years of age and older, and one patient was ≥75 years. There were no observed overall differences in safety and effectiveness of FRUZAQLA in geriatric compared to younger patients.

No dosage adjustment is recommended for patients with mild hepatic impairment (total bilirubin less than or equal to the ULN with AST greater than ULN or total bilirubin greater than 1 to 1.5 times ULN with any AST [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

FRUZAQLA has not been sufficiently studied in patients with moderate hepatic impairment (total bilirubin greater than 1.5 times and less than 3 times ULN and any AST). FRUZAQLA is not recommended for use in patients with severe hepatic impairment (total bilirubin greater than 3 times ULN and any AST).

FRUZAQLA can cause hypertension. Hypertension occurred in 450 of 911 (49%) patients with mCRC treated with FRUZAQLA, including Grade 3-4 events in 19%, and hypertensive crisis in three patients (0.3%). The median time to first onset of hypertension was 14 days from first dose of FRUZAQLA.

Do not initiate FRUZAQLA unless blood pressure is adequately controlled. Monitor blood pressure weekly the first month, at least monthly thereafter and as clinically indicated. Initiate or adjust anti-hypertensive therapy as appropriate. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue FRUZAQLA based on the severity of hypertension [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ] .

FRUZAQLA can cause serious hemorrhagic events, which may be fatal. In 911 patients with mCRC treated with FRUZAQLA, 6% of patients experienced a gastrointestinal hemorrhage, including 13 patients (1%) with a Grade ≥3 event and 2 patients with fatal hemorrhages.

Permanently discontinue FRUZAQLA in patients with severe or life-threatening hemorrhage. Monitor the International Normalized Ratio (INR) levels in patients receiving anticoagulants [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ] .

FRUZAQLA can cause an increased risk of infections, including fatal infections. In 781 patients treated with FRUZAQLA across three randomized, placebo-controlled trials, the overall incidence of infections was higher (18% vs. 12%) including for fatal infections (1% vs. 0.3%) as compared to the placebo arms (n=391).

In 911 patients with mCRC treated with FRUZAQLA, the most common infections were urinary tract infections (6.8%), upper respiratory tract infections (3.2%) and pneumonia (2.5%); fatal infections included pneumonia (0.4%), sepsis (0.2%), bacterial infection (0.1%), lower respiratory tract infection (0.1%), and septic shock (0.1%).

Withhold FRUZAQLA for Grade 3 or 4 infections, or worsening infection of any grade. Resume FRUZAQLA at the same dose when the infection has resolved.

FRUZAQLA can cause gastrointestinal perforation. In 911 patients with mCRC treated with FRUZAQLA, 12 patients (1.3%) experienced a Grade ≥3 gastrointestinal perforation, including one fatal event.

Permanently discontinue FRUZAQLA in patients who develop gastrointestinal perforation or fistula.

FRUZAQLA can cause liver injury. In 911 patients with mCRC treated with FRUZAQLA, 48% experienced increased ALT or AST, including Grade ≥3 events in 5%, and fatal events in 0.2%. Median time to first onset of elevated liver enzymes was 29 days from first dose of FRUZAQLA.

Monitor liver function tests (ALT, AST, and bilirubin) before initiation and periodically throughout treatment with FRUZAQLA. Temporarily hold and then reduce or permanently discontinue FRUZAQLA depending on the severity and persistence of hepatotoxicity as manifested by elevated liver function tests [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) and Use in Specific Populations (8.6) ] .

FRUZAQLA can cause proteinuria. In 911 patients with mCRC treated with FRUZAQLA, 36% experienced proteinuria and 2.5% of patients experienced Grade ≥3 events. Median time to first onset of proteinuria was 22 days from first dose of FRUZAQLA.

Monitor for proteinuria before initiation and periodically throughout treatment with FRUZAQLA. For proteinuria ≥2 g/24 hours, withhold FRUZAQLA until improvement to ≤Grade 1 proteinuria, resume FRUZAQLA at a reduced dose. Discontinue FRUZAQLA in patients who develop nephrotic syndrome [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ].

FRUZAQLA can cause PPE. In 911 patients with mCRC treated with FRUZAQLA, PPE occurred in 35%, including 8% with Grade 3 events. Median time to first onset of PPE was 19 days from first dose of FRUZAQLA.

Based on severity, withhold FRUZAQLA and then resume at the same or reduced dose [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ].

FRUZAQLA can cause PRES, a syndrome of subcortical vasogenic edema diagnosed by characteristic finding on MRI. PRES occurred in one of 911 patients with mCRC treated with FRUZAQLA.

Perform an evaluation for PRES in any patient presenting with seizures, headache, visual disturbances, confusion or altered mental function. Discontinue FRUZAQLA in patients who develop PRES.

Impaired wound healing can occur in patients who receive drugs that inhibit the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway. In 911 patients with mCRC treated with FRUZAQLA, 1 patient experienced a Grade 2 event of wound dehiscence.

Do not administer FRUZAQLA for at least 2 weeks prior to major surgery.

Do not administer FRUZAQLA for at least 2 weeks after major surgery and until adequate wound healing. The safety of resumption of FRUZAQLA after resolution of wound healing complications has not been established.

FRUZAQLA may increase the risk of arterial thromboembolic events. In 911 patients with mCRC treated with FRUZAQLA, 7 patients (0.8%) experienced an arterial thromboembolic event; additionally, FRUZAQLA studies excluded patients with clinically significant cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or with thromboembolic events within the prior 6 months. Initiation of FRUZAQLA in patients with a recent history of thromboembolic events should be carefully considered. In patients who develop arterial thromboembolism discontinue FRUZAQLA.

FRUZAQLA 1 mg capsules contain FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine), which may cause allergic-type reactions (including bronchial asthma) in certain susceptible persons. Although the overall incidence of FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine) sensitivity in the general population is low, it is frequently seen in patients who also have aspirin hypersensitivity.

FRUZAQLA 1 mg contains FD&C Yellow No. 6 (sunset yellow FCF), which may cause allergic reactions.

Based on findings in animal studies and its mechanism of action, FRUZAQLA can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. In an embryo-fetal developmental study in rats, embryotoxic and teratogenic effects were observed at exposures below the clinical exposure [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] .

Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of childbearing potential and males with female partners of childbearing potential to use effective contraception during treatment with FRUZAQLA and for 2 weeks after the last dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1 , 8.3) ] .

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

The pooled safety population described in the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and below reflects exposure to FRUZAQLA as a single agent in 911 patients with mCRC who were enrolled in three randomized, placebo-controlled studies (FRESCO-2, FRESCO and 2012-013-00CH1) (N=781); three open-label studies (2009-013-00CH1, 2012-013-00CH3 and 2015-013-00US1) (N=124); and an open-label lead-in cohort of FRESCO-2 (N=6). Among the 911 patients who received FRUZAQLA, 23% were exposed for 6 months or longer and 3.5% were exposed for greater than one year. These patients received at least one dose of FRUZAQLA at the recommended dosage of 5 mg daily for the first 21 days of each 28-day cycle. The median age was 60 years (range: 23 to 82) and 34% were 65 years of age or older. The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥20%) that occurred in pooled monotherapy studies were hypertension, PPE, proteinuria, dysphonia, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and asthenia.

Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
FRESCO-2 Study
The safety of FRUZAQLA was evaluated in FRESCO-2, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . Patients received either FRUZAQLA 5 mg daily for the first 21 days of each 28-day cycle plus best supportive care (BSC) (n=456) or matching placebo plus BSC (n=230).

The median duration of therapy with FRUZAQLA was 3 months (range: 0.3 to 19.1 months).

Serious adverse reactions occurred in 38% of patients treated with FRUZAQLA. Serious adverse reactions in ≥2% of patients treated with FRUZAQLA included hemorrhage (2.2%) and gastrointestinal perforation (2.0%). Fatal adverse reaction(s) occurred in 14 (3.1%) patients who received FRUZAQLA. Fatal adverse reactions occurring in ≥2 patients include pneumonia (n=3), sepsis/septic shock (n=2), and hepatic failure/encephalopathy (n=2).

Adverse reactions leading to treatment discontinuation occurred in 20% of patients treated with FRUZAQLA. Adverse reactions leading to treatment discontinuations of FRUZAQLA in ≥1% of patients were asthenia and gastrointestinal perforation.

Dose interruptions of FRUZAQLA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 47% of patients. Adverse reactions leading to dose interruptions of FRUZAQLA in ≥2% of patients were PPE, proteinuria, asthenia, abdominal pain, hypertension, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Dose reductions of FRUZAQLA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 24% of patients. Adverse reactions leading to dose reductions of FRUZAQLA in ≥2% of patients were PPE, hypertension and asthenia.

Table 3 summarizes the adverse reactions in FRESCO-2.

Other important adverse reactions (all grades) that occurred in <10% of patients treated with FRUZAQLA included urinary tract infection (4.6%), epistaxis (3.9%), proctalgia (3.5%), pneumonia (2.4%), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (1.5%), gastrointestinal perforation (1.3%), pancreatitis (0.7%), thrombotic microangiopathy (0.2%), and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (0.2%).

Table 4 provides laboratory abnormalities observed in FRESCO-2.

Other clinically relevant laboratory abnormalities (all grades) that occurred in <20% of patients treated with FRUZAQLA included pancreatic enzymes increased (3.9%).

FRESCO Study
The safety of FRUZAQLA was evaluated in FRESCO, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . Patients received either FRUZAQLA 5 mg daily for the first 21 days of each 28-day cycle plus BSC (n=278) or matching placebo plus BSC (n=137).

The median duration of therapy with FRUZAQLA was 3.68 months (range: 0.3 to 22.1 months).

Serious adverse reactions occurred in 15% of patients treated with FRUZAQLA. Serious adverse reactions in ≥2% of patients included intestinal obstruction (2.9%) and hemorrhage (2.2%). Fatal adverse reaction(s) occurred in 7 (2.5%) patients who received FRUZAQLA including cerebral infarction (n=1), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (n=1), hemoptysis (n=1), bacterial infection (n=1), lung/lower respiratory infection (n=2), and multiple organ dysfunction (n=1).

Adverse reactions leading to treatment discontinuation occurred in 15% of patients who received FRUZAQLA. Adverse reactions leading to treatment discontinuations of FRUZAQLA in ≥1% were intestinal obstruction, proteinuria and hepatic function abnormalities.

Dose interruptions of FRUZAQLA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 35% of patients. Adverse reactions leading to dose interruptions of FRUZAQLA in ≥2% of patients were PPE, proteinuria, platelet count decreased, ALT increased, hypertension, and diarrhea.

Dose reductions of FRUZAQLA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 24% of patients. Adverse reactions leading to dose reduction of FRUZAQLA in ≥2% of patients were PPE, proteinuria, and hypertension.

Table 5 summarizes the adverse reactions in FRESCO.

Other clinically important adverse reactions (all grades) that occurred in <10% of patients treated with FRUZAQLA included urinary tract infection (9%), rash (9%), upper respiratory tract infection (4.7%), proctalgia (3.6%), pneumonia (2.9%), and gastrointestinal perforation or fistula (2.2%).

Table 6 provides laboratory abnormalities observed in FRESCO.

Other clinically relevant laboratory abnormalities (all grades) that occurred in <20% of patients treated with FRUZAQLA included pancreatic enzymes increased (4.3%).

Strong CYP3A Inducers

Avoid concomitant use of drugs that are strong CYP3A inducers with FRUZAQLA.

Concomitant use with a strong CYP3A inducer may decrease fruquintinib C _max and AUC [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] , which may reduce the efficacy of FRUZAQLA.

Moderate CYP3A Inducers

If possible, avoid concomitant use of drugs that are moderate CYP3A inducers with FRUZAQLA. If it is not possible to avoid concomitant use of a moderate CYP3A inducer and fruquintinib, continue to administer FRUZAQLA at the recommended dosage.

Concomitant use with a moderate CYP3A inducer may decrease fruquintinib C _max and AUC [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] , which may reduce the efficacy of FRUZAQLA.

Fruquintinib is a small molecule kinase inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR)-1, -2, and -3 with IC ₅₀ values of 33, 35, and 0.5 nM, respectively. In vitro studies showed fruquintinib inhibited VEGF-mediated endothelial cell proliferation and tubular formation. In vitro and in vivo studies showed fruquintinib inhibited VEGF-induced VEGFR-2 phosphorylation. In vivo studies showed fruquintinib inhibited tumor growth in a tumor xenograft mouse model of colon cancer.

Fruquintinib exposure-response relationships and the time course of pharmacodynamic response are unknown.

The fruquintinib steady-state geometric mean (% coefficient of variation [CV]) maximum concentration (C _max ) is 300 ng/mL (28%) and area under the concentration-time curve for the dosing interval (AUC _0-24h ) is 5880 ng∙h/mL (29%) at the recommended dosage. The fruquintinib C _max and AUC _0-24h are dose-proportional across the dosage range of 1 to 6 mg (0.2 to 1.2 times the recommended dosage). Fruquintinib steady state is achieved after 14 days with a mean AUC _0-24h accumulation of 4-fold.

Carcinogenicity studies have not been conducted with fruquintinib.

Fruquintinib was not mutagenic in the in vitro bacterial reverse mutation (Ames) assay or clastogenic in the in vitro Chinese hamster ovary chromosome aberration assay. Fruquintinib was not genotoxic in the in vivo rat micronucleus or alkaline comet assays.

In a fertility and early embryonic development study in rats, post-implantation loss was observed at doses approximately equal to the recommended clinical dose of 5 mg based on BSA.

In repeat dose toxicity studies in rats, daily oral administration of fruquintinib at doses ≥0.6 mg/kg (approximately 1.2 times the recommended clinical dose of 5 mg based on BSA) resulted in broken or lost teeth.

FRESCO-2 Study

The efficacy of FRUZAQLA was evaluated in FRESCO-2 (NCT04322539), an international, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that enrolled 691 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who had disease progression during or after prior treatment with fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin-, irinotecan-based chemotherapy, an anti-VEGF biological therapy, if RAS wild type, an anti-EGFR biological therapy, and trifluridine/tipiracil, regorafenib, or both. Patients with an ECOG PS ≥2, left ventricular fraction ≤50%, systolic blood pressure >140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure >90 mm Hg, urine protein ≥1 g/24h, or untreated brain metastases were ineligible. Randomization was stratified by prior use of trifluridine/tipiracil or regorafenib (trifluridine/tipiracil vs. regorafenib vs. trifluridine/tipiracil and regorafenib), RAS status (wild type vs. mutant), and duration of metastatic disease (≤18 months vs. >18 months).

Patients were randomized (2:1) to receive FRUZAQLA 5 mg orally once daily (N=461) for the first 21 days of each 28-day cycle plus BSC or placebo (N=230) plus BSC. Patients received either FRUZAQLA or placebo until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The major efficacy outcome measure was overall survival (OS) and an additional efficacy outcome measure was progression-free survival (PFS) as determined by investigators according to RECIST v1.1.

The study population characteristics were median age of 64 years (range: 25 to 86), with 47% ≥65 years of age; 56% male; 81% White, 9% Asian, 2.9% Black or African American, and 0.7% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander; 43% had an ECOG PS of 0 and 57% had an ECOG PS of 1, and 63% had RAS -mutant tumors. Eighteen percent of the patients were enrolled in North America, 72% in Europe, and 10% in Asia Pacific (Japan and Australia) region.

All patients received prior treatment with fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan-based chemotherapy; 96% received prior anti-VEGF therapy, 39% received prior anti-EGFR therapy, 91% received trifluridine/tipiracil, 48% received regorafenib, and 39% received both trifluridine/tipiracil and regorafenib.

The addition of FRUZAQLA to BSC resulted in a statistically significant improvement in OS and PFS compared to placebo plus BSC (see Table 7 , Figure 1 ).

FRESCO Study

The efficacy of FRUZAQLA was evaluated in FRESCO (NCT02314819), a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted in China that enrolled 416 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who had disease progression during or after prior treatment with fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin, or irinotecan-based chemotherapy. Patients older than 75 years of age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) ≥2, left ventricular ejection fraction ≤50%, systolic blood pressure >140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure >90 mm Hg, urine protein ≥1 g/24h, or brain metastases were ineligible. Randomization was stratified by prior use of VEGF inhibitors (yes vs. no) and K-RAS status (wild type vs. mutant).

Patients were randomized (2:1) to receive FRUZAQLA 5 mg orally once daily (N=278) for the first 21 days of each 28-day cycle plus BSC or placebo (N=138) plus BSC. Patients received either FRUZAQLA or placebo until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The major efficacy outcome measure was OS and an additional efficacy outcome measure was PFS as determined by investigators according to RECIST v1.1.

The study population characteristics were median age of 56 years (range: 23 to 75), with 19% ≥65 years of age; 61% male; 100% Asian; 27% had an ECOG PS of 0 and 73% had an ECOG PS of 1 (73%), and 44% had K-RAS mutant tumors.

All patients received prior treatment with fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based chemotherapy; 30% of patients received prior anti-VEGF therapy, and 14% received prior anti-EGFR therapy.

The addition of FRUZAQLA to BSC resulted in a statistically significant improvement in OS compared to placebo plus BSC (see Table 7 , Figure 2 ).

Figure 1: Kaplan-Meier Curve for Overall Survival in FRESCO-2

Figure 2: Kaplan-Meier Curve for Overall Survival in FRESCO

Storage and handling

Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). Brief exposure to 15°C and 30°C (59°F to 86°F) permitted (see USP Controlled Room Temperature).

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.