Single-center phase 1 trial of riluzole in combination with mFOLFOX6 and bevacizumab for metastatic colorectal cancer

Standard of care for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is 5-FU based chemotherapy in combination with targeted therapy. Riluzole, an oral medicine for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, has shown synergy with 5-FU in reducing cell viability in CRC cell lines. A phase 1 trial at The Ohio State University (Columbus) evaluated riluzole in combination with mFOLFOX6 and bevacizumab for mCRC in patients who previously received FOLFOX. The combination was well tolerated. The objective response rate was 16.7% and the disease control rate was 91.7%; with a median duration of response of 4.9 months (95% CI 1.6-9.8). The median progression-free survival and overall survival were 4.89 months and 12.98 months, respectively. The authors conclude that riluzole in combination with mFOLFOX6 and bevacizumab was well tolerated and may have clinical activity for mCRC in patients who previously received FOLFOX.