CLINICAL TRIALS PROFILE FOR TRIFLURIDINE

All Clinical Trials for TRIFLURIDINE

Trial ID	Title	Status	Sponsor	Phase	Start Date	Summary
NCT00000138 ↗	Herpetic Eye Disease Study (HEDS) I	Unknown status	National Eye Institute (NEI)	Phase 3	1989-05-01	To evaluate the efficacy of topical corticosteroids in treating herpes simplex stromal keratitis in conjunction with topical trifluridine. To evaluate the efficacy of oral acyclovir in treating herpes simplex stromal keratitis in patients receiving concomitant topical corticosteroids and trifluridine. To evaluate the efficacy of oral acyclovir in treating herpes simplex iridocyclitis in conjunction with treatment with topical corticosteroids and trifluridine.
NCT00000635 ↗	Treatment of Acyclovir-Resistant Mucocutaneous Herpes Simplex Disease in Patients With AIDS: Open Label Pilot Study of Topical Trifluridine	Completed	Glaxo Wellcome	N/A	1969-12-31	To determine the safety, effectiveness, and toxicity of topical (local) trifluridine in treating mucocutaneous (at the nasal, oral, vaginal, and anal openings) Herpes simplex virus ( HSV ) disease that has shown resistance to acyclovir in HIV-infected patients. HSV infection in patients with AIDS is often associated with skin sores and frequent recurrences. Treatment with the drug acyclovir results in healing for most patients, but repeated treatment sometimes results in resistance of the virus to acyclovir. Thus, when this happens, other treatments need to be used. Trifluridine is an antiviral drug that is used for the treatment of Herpes infections that occur in the eye. This study attempts to determine if trifluridine is useful for treating HSV sores that have not healed after treatment with acyclovir.
NCT00000635 ↗	Treatment of Acyclovir-Resistant Mucocutaneous Herpes Simplex Disease in Patients With AIDS: Open Label Pilot Study of Topical Trifluridine	Completed	National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)	N/A	1969-12-31	To determine the safety, effectiveness, and toxicity of topical (local) trifluridine in treating mucocutaneous (at the nasal, oral, vaginal, and anal openings) Herpes simplex virus ( HSV ) disease that has shown resistance to acyclovir in HIV-infected patients. HSV infection in patients with AIDS is often associated with skin sores and frequent recurrences. Treatment with the drug acyclovir results in healing for most patients, but repeated treatment sometimes results in resistance of the virus to acyclovir. Thus, when this happens, other treatments need to be used. Trifluridine is an antiviral drug that is used for the treatment of Herpes infections that occur in the eye. This study attempts to determine if trifluridine is useful for treating HSV sores that have not healed after treatment with acyclovir.
NCT00002037 ↗	Evaluation of the Therapeutic Benefit of r-metHuIFN- Gamma in AIDS Patients With Disseminated Mycobacterium Avium-Intracellulare (MAI) Infection: A Multi-Centered Pilot Study	Completed	Amgen	N/A	1969-12-31	To examine the effectiveness of subcutaneous gamma interferon in reducing severity of Mycobacterium avium- intracellulare (MAI) bacillemia episodes in AIDS patients in an open-label dose-randomized multi-center pilot clinical investigation. To evaluate the safety of gamma interferon given by subcutaneous injection (SC) in the AIDS patient in the presence and absence of AZT therapy.
NCT00081835 ↗	Evaluation and Treatment of Eye Complications of Vaccinia Vaccination	Completed	National Eye Institute (NEI)	Phase 2	2004-04-19	This study will evaluate patients with eye complications related to vaccination against smallpox to learn more about these conditions. Vaccinia vaccination has been used for more than 100 years for preventing smallpox. A small number of people who receive the vaccination (less than 1 in 1,000) develop complications, sometimes in their eyes. This usually results from the accidental transfer of the infection from the vaccination site to the face or eyes, perhaps by touching the vaccination area and then the face or eyelids before washing the hands. The study will also examine whether an experimental treatment called NP-016 vaccinia immune globulin can reduce corneal scarring that is sometimes associated with serious vaccinia complications and can impair vision. Children and adults with keratitis, severe conjunctivitis, or blepharitis following exposure to vaccinia vaccination may be eligible for this study. Children must weigh at least 10 kg. Participants undergo the following tests and procedures at enrollment, with some tests repeated at scheduled study visits: 1. Medical history and physical examination 2. Infectious disease consultation 3. Complete eye evaluation including: - Fundus photography to examine the back of the eye - dilation of the pupils with eye drops to examine and photograph the back of the eye - Slit lamp biomicroscopy - evaluation of the front part of the eye with a slit lamp microscope - Eye pressure measurements - Eye swab to look for vaccinia virus or other causes of disease 4. Blood tests 5. Photographs and documentation of eye and skin lesions 6. Vaccinia diagnostic tests, such as skin or mucosa scrapings; blood, throat, or urine cultures; and tissue biopsies, if needed Patients begin treatment with standard medications for their eye disease, such as trifluridine (Viroptic® (Registered Trademark)) anti-viral eye drops. Patients whose condition becomes serious are offered additional treatment with intravenous (through a vein) infusions of either VIG or placebo (salt water solution with no active drug) and are randomly assigned to one or the other treatment group. All patients continue standard-of-care treatment as well. Follow-up visits at the NIH eye clinic are scheduled as required by the patient's condition. Patients with mild complications who are taking only standard medications may need to be seen only 1 month after the initial visit and then 6 months and 12 months later. Patients with more serious conditions who qualify for VIG or placebo treatments may be seen daily for a week, then once a week for the rest of the first month, and then at 6 months and 12 months, unless more frequent treatment or observation is required.

Clinical Trial Conditions for TRIFLURIDINE

Condition Name

Condition Name for TRIFLURIDINE
Intervention	Trials
Metastatic Colorectal Cancer	22
Colorectal Cancer	9
Stage IV Colorectal Cancer AJCC v8	7
Stage IVA Colorectal Cancer AJCC v8	6

Condition MeSH

Condition MeSH for TRIFLURIDINE
Intervention	Trials
Colorectal Neoplasms	59
Adenocarcinoma	17
Colonic Neoplasms	9
Carcinoma	9

Clinical Trial Locations for TRIFLURIDINE

Trials by Country

Trials by Country for TRIFLURIDINE
Location	Trials
United States	158
China	40
Italy	28
Japan	23
Australia	12

Trials by US State

Trials by US State for TRIFLURIDINE
Location	Trials
California	15
Texas	14
Florida	10
Illinois	9
Minnesota	8

Clinical Trial Progress for TRIFLURIDINE

Clinical Trial Phase

Clinical Trial Phase for TRIFLURIDINE
Clinical Trial Phase	Trials
PHASE3	3
PHASE2	21
PHASE1	7

Clinical Trial Status

Clinical Trial Status for TRIFLURIDINE
Clinical Trial Phase	Trials
Recruiting	50
Not yet recruiting	15
NOT_YET_RECRUITING	8

Clinical Trial Sponsors for TRIFLURIDINE

Sponsor Name

Sponsor Name for TRIFLURIDINE
Sponsor	Trials
National Cancer Institute (NCI)	15
Servier	6
Taiho Oncology, Inc.	5

Sponsor Type

Sponsor Type for TRIFLURIDINE
Sponsor	Trials
Other	99
Industry	41
NIH	18

Clinical Trials Update, Market Analysis, and Projection for Trifluridine

Last updated: October 29, 2025

Overview of Trifluridine

Trifluridine is an antineoplastic nucleoside metabolic inhibitor primarily used in chemotherapy regimens. It functions by disrupting DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cancer cells, thereby inhibiting tumor growth. FDA-approved in combination with tipiracil in the form of Lonsurf (trifluridine/tipiracil), it is chiefly indicated for metastatic colorectal cancer and gastric cancer. As research advances, the drug’s potential applications and development pipeline have expanded, prompting detailed analysis of clinical trials, market dynamics, and future projections.

Clinical Trials Landscape for Trifluridine

Current Clinical Trials and Indications

Recent clinical trials focus on expanding trifluridine's therapeutic scope:

• Advanced Gastric and Esophageal Cancers: Multiple Phase II and III trials are evaluating trifluridine's efficacy as a monotherapy or in combination with other agents for gastric and esophageal malignancies. Notably, the KEYNOTE-659 trial assessed its safety profile alongside pembrolizumab, exploring potential synergy with immunotherapies (clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT04381581).

• Combination Regimens in Colorectal Cancer: Trials combining trifluridine with novel targeted agents, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and anti-angiogenics are ongoing. The TAGS study investigates its use in refractory metastatic colorectal cancer, reinforcing its role in late-line settings (NCT02500043).

• Hematologic Malignancies: Investigations into trifluridine for certain hematological cancers, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), are at preclinical or early clinical stages, though these are less prominent.

Pipeline Developments

Several innovative formulations are in development to optimize bioavailability and reduce toxicity:

• Oral Delivery Platforms: Efforts are underway to improve oral bioavailability, including nanoparticle encapsulation and sustained-release systems. Such advancements aim to enhance patient compliance, especially for extended treatment courses.

• Biomarker-Guided Use: Research into molecular markers predicting responsiveness to trifluridine is ongoing, which could personalize therapy and improve outcomes.

Regulatory and Safety Profile Insights

Regulatory reviews are favorable, with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and FDA recognizing well-managed toxicity profiles, primarily manageable hematological side effects. Nonetheless, ongoing trials aim to establish comprehensive safety data across diverse patient populations and indications.

Market Analysis of Trifluridine

Current Market Dynamics

• Market Penetration: Trifluridine’s combination formulation (Lonsurf) has witnessed expanding adoption owing to its proven efficacy in refractory colorectal cancer and gastric cancers. The drug's approval spans multiple regions, including North America, Europe, and parts of Asia.

• Competitive Landscape: Key competitors include other oral chemotherapeutic agents such as regorafenib and fruquintinib for colorectal indications. Immunotherapy combinations are also emerging as competitive options, especially in first-line settings.

• Insurance and Reimbursement: Favorable reimbursement policies in major markets bolster sales, though cost barriers remain in some regions, impacting access.

• Market Share: As per IQVIA data, the global market for trifluridine-containing therapies was valued approximately at $850 million in 2022, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 8% projected through 2027 (source: IQVIA).

Emerging Opportunities and Challenges

• Expanding Indications: Successful clinical trial outcomes could unlock broader indications, including earlier lines of therapy, which would significantly increase market size.

• Orphan Designation and Rare Cancers: Developed for specific, less common cancers, trifluridine could benefit from orphan drug status, incentivizing development and marketing.

• Pricing and Access Issues: Cost considerations persist, especially in markets without robust reimbursement frameworks, potentially limiting global access.

• Biosimilar and Generics Impact: Patent expiry or biosimilar development could influence pricing and market share, emphasizing the need for strategic lifecycle management.

Market Projection for Trifluridine

Forecasting Methodology

Market projections rely on integrating clinical trial outcomes, regulatory developments, competitive dynamics, and healthcare policy trends. Using current growth rates and upcoming pipeline milestones, industry analysts estimate significant growth over the next five years.

Projected Market Size and Growth

• 2023-2027 Outlook: Anticipated compound annual growth rate is around 8-10%. By 2027, the global trifluridine market is projected to reach $1.4-$1.6 billion, driven by:

  • Expansion into new cancer types, especially those with limited therapies.
  • Increasing adoption in combination regimens with immunotherapies.
  • Positive trial outcomes supporting label expansion.

• Regional Trends: North America remains the dominant market, accounting for approximately 45-50% of sales, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific, where rising healthcare investments and cancer prevalence will fuel growth.

• Impact of Regulatory Approvals: Approvals for first-line or maintenance therapy, pending successful trials, could substantially accelerate growth.

Risks and Limitations

• Clinical trial failures or adverse safety profiles could delay or diminish market expansion.
• Competitive innovations, especially newer targeted therapies and immunotherapies, might threaten market share.
• Healthcare policy shifts and pricing pressures could influence profitability and access.

Conclusion

Trifluridine remains a pivotal player in the landscape of chemotherapeutics for colorectal and gastric cancers. Its ongoing clinical development, strategic pipeline enhancements, and expanding regulatory approvals underpin a robust growth trajectory. While competitive pressures and cost considerations pose challenges, the drug's demonstrated efficacy and potential indications expansion position it favorably for sustained market dominance.

Key Takeaways

• Clinical Trials Progress: Trifluridine demonstrates promising efficacy in expanding indications, especially in combination regimens for gastric and esophageal cancers, with ongoing trials exploring innovative formulations and personalized approaches.

• Market Dynamics: The drug's current market is buoyant, driven by proven clinical benefits and expanding approvals. Emphasis on late-line therapy solidifies its role, with future growth linked to first-line and broader indications.

• Growth Projections: The global market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8-10% over the next five years, reaching approximately $1.5 billion by 2027, contingent on clinical success and regulatory milestones.

• Challenges Ahead: Competitive therapies, cost barriers, and clinical trial risks necessitate ongoing strategic planning, emphasizing pipeline innovation and value-based delivery.

• Strategic Opportunities: Developing combination therapies with immunotherapies, obtaining regulatory approvals for earlier lines, and advancing personalized medicine approaches will be key drivers of future growth.

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FAQs

1. What are the main therapeutic indications for trifluridine?
Trifluridine, combined with tipiracil (Lonsurf), is primarily approved for metastatic colorectal cancer and gastric cancer in refractory settings. Clinical trials are exploring additional indications, including early-line therapy and other gastrointestinal cancers.

2. How does trifluridine compare to other chemotherapies?
Trifluridine offers oral administration, which improves patient convenience over intravenous agents. Its toxicity profile is manageable, primarily hematological, and it demonstrates efficacy in refractory cases where other chemotherapies may fail.

3. What is the outlook for trifluridine in combination with immunotherapies?
Early-phase clinical trials hint at potential synergistic effects, especially in tumors with high mutational burden. Positive outcomes could expand its use in immunotherapy-combined regimens, opening new therapeutic avenues.

4. Are there any notable pipeline developments for trifluridine?
Yes, ongoing research focuses on novel formulations (e.g., nanoparticle delivery), expanding indications, and biomarker-driven personalized therapy strategies to optimize efficacy and safety.

5. What challenges could impact trifluridine’s future market growth?
Key challenges include clinical trial risks, competition from emerging therapies, cost and reimbursement complexities, and the potential for biosimilar entry post-patent expiry.

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Sources:

[1] ClinicalTrials.gov. "Trials involving Trifluridine."
[2] IQVIA. "Pharmaceutical Market Data and Forecasts."
[3] European Medicines Agency. "Lonsurf (trifluridine/tipiracil) approval details."