Gallois C, Hafliger E, Auclin E, et al. - According to this retrospective multicentre study, first-line raltitrexed-based chemotherapy had an acceptable safety profile in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who were ineligible for fluoropyrimidines. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients treated with TOMOX were significantly better than in patients treated with other targeted therapies and were consistent with previous survival results in mCRC.

• Seventy-five individuals received raltitrexed alone, TOMOX, or TOMIRI with or without bevacizumab in this study.

• A total of 31% of patients experienced grade 3–4 adverse events, with no significant differences between treatment schedules.

• None of the 36 patients who had a history of fluoropyrimidine-induced cardiac toxicity experienced cardiovascular events while taking raltitrexed.

• Data reported that 10.6 and 27.4 months, respectively, were the median PFS and OS.

• When the chemotherapy regimen was considered, TOMOX was significantly associated with improved PFS and OS when compared with TOMIRI and raltitrexed alone.