Anti-VEGF antibody bevacizumab (Avastin) with 5FU/LV as third line treatment for colorectal cancer.
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the activity and safety of bevacizumab when given with standard 5FU/leukovorin (LV) regimens in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who have failed irinotecan and oxaliplatin-based treatments.


METHODS
Bevacizumab was given at 5 mg/kg as an IV infusion every 2 weeks. Patients received 5FU according to Roswell Park or the de Gramont regimen.


RESULTS
Nineteen patients enrolled, median age 60, median PS: 1. Most common toxicity attributable to bevacizumab was mild hypertension, epistaxis and mild proteinuria; 1 patient had a CNS haemorrhage. The median number of cycles was 1 (8 weeks). Clinical benefit as disease stabilisation lasting 2-6 months was noted in 9 patients, whereas 10 progressed (median f/u: 5 months). TTP was 16 weeks, and the overall survival has not been reached (24+ weeks).


CONCLUSIONS
Bevacizumab may result in growth arrest and clinical benefit in a substantial proportion of patients with colorectal cancer and no alternative treatment.
Emmanouilides
C
C
Division of Hematology/Oncology, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. cemmanou@mednet.ucla.edu
Pegram
M
M
Robinson
R
R
Hecht
R
R
Kabbinavar
F
F
Isacoff
W
W
D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil