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  • Taiho's Lonsurf® (trifluridine and tipiracil hydrochloride) Tablets Approved in Japan for Treatment in Advanced Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
March 24, 2014
Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Taiho's Lonsurf® (trifluridine and tipiracil hydrochloride) Tablets Approved in Japan for Treatment in Advanced Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (HQ: Tokyo, President: Masayuki Kobayashi) announced today that it has obtained approval in Japan from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to manufacture and market the oral combination anticancer drug ''Lonsurf® combination tablet T15, T20'' (nonproprietary names: trifluridine and tipiracil hydrochloride; development code: TAS-102), for the treatment of patients with unresectable advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer (only if refractory to standard therapies).

Japan is the first country in the world to grant marketing authorization for Lonsurf. The approval is based primarily on the results of a randomized, double blind placebo controlled Phase II clinical trial conducted in Japan (J003-10040030). Taiho is conducting a global Phase III clinical trial (RECOURSE) on patients with metastatic colorectal cancer refractory to standard chemotherapies.

Lonsurf is a combination drug of trifluridine (FTD) and tipiracil hydrochloride (TPI). FTD is an antineoplastic nucleoside analog, which is incorporated directly into DNA, thereby interfering with the function of DNA. The blood concentration of FTD is maintained via TPI, which is an inhibitor of the FTD-degrading enzyme thymidine phosphorylase.

Taiho Pharmaceutical is proud to make Lonsurf available to physicians in Japan as a new treatment option for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer refractory to standard therapies.

Product Summary (for the Japanese market)

Brand name

Lonsurf® combination tablet T15, T20

Nonproprietary name

Trifluridine and tipiracil hydrochloride combination tablet

Indications & Efficacy

Unresectable advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer (only if refractory to standard therapies)

Use & Dosage

Usually, the initial dose (single dose) for adults is defined as the standard dose (approximately 35 mg/m2/dose of FTD) according to body surface area. Lonsurf is administered twice daily, after breakfast and after the evening meal, for five consecutive days, followed by a two-day rest. After repeating the above twice, a 14-day rest follows, completing one course, which is then repeated.The dose can be decreased or increased according to the patient's condition.

Information in this news release was current as of the original release date.

Taiho Pharmaceutical's press releases may contain information about prescription drugs including products currently under development, however information contained in the press releases are not intended to constitute promotion, advertisement, or medical advice.

  • TOP
  • News Releases
  • 2014
  • Taiho's Lonsurf® (trifluridine and tipiracil hydrochloride) Tablets Approved in Japan for Treatment in Advanced Metastatic Colorectal Cancer