Abstract
BACKGROUND: New therapeutic options are needed for biliary tract cancer (BTC). Regorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor, shows promise in refractory digestive cancers and may be beneficial with conventional chemotherapy for BTC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The BREGO study evaluated regorafenib with modified gemcitabine-oxaliplatin (mGEMOX) in advanced or metastatic BTC. Phase I determined the recommended dose (RP2D) of regorafenib (80, 120 or 160 mg, days 1-14) combined with mGEMOX (gemcitabine 900 mg.m-2 IV, 30 min, followed by oxaliplatin 80mg.m-2 IV, 120 min, days 1 and 8). Phase II randomized (1:2) patients to mGEMOX alone (arm A) or mGEMOX + regorafenib (arm B, RP2D, days 1-14), assessing efficacy and safety, with the primary outcome being progression-free survival (PFS). Metabolic tumor features and response were also assessed. RESULTS: In phase Ib, 22 patients were enrolled; in phase II, 66 patients (arm A, n = 24; arm B, n = 42). Four dose-limiting toxicities were observed, but no maximum tolerated dose was reached. The RP2D was 160 mg.d-1. Median PFS (7.2 vs7.8 months; P = .825) and overall survival (15.1 vs 13.5 months; P = .356) were similar between arms. However, posttreatment 18F-FDG tumor uptake (SULpeak) significantly correlated with PFS (P = .001) and OS (P = .016). Baseline plasma stanniocalcin 1 levels < 265 pg.mL-1 were associated with longer PFS (P = .030) and OS (P = .060) in both arms. CONCLUSIONS: Combining regorafenib and mGEMOX is feasible as first-line treatment for BTC but did not increase PFS as expected in the phase II cohort. Identifying new biomarkers can help target patients with advanced BTCs who may benefit from regorafenib-associated therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02386397.