Bevacizumab and weekly taxane chemotherapy demonstrates activity in refractory ovarian cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the ability of patients to be treated with biweekly bevacizumab and weekly taxane chemotherapy in women with advanced, refractory ovarian cancer.


METHODS
Ten patients with advanced, recurrent, and refractory ovarian cancer who were treated with biweekly bevacizumab (10 mg/kg) and weekly taxane (paclitaxel or docetaxel) chemotherapy days 1, 8, 15, and 22 every 28 days were identified retrospectively. All patients were followed with serial CA125 measurements prior to each cycle of therapy; cross-sectional imaging was not used to follow response to therapy. Toxicities were assessed prior to each cycle of treatment.


RESULTS
Of the 10 patients treated with weekly taxane and biweekly bevacizumab therapy, all 9 that were evaluable had a decrease in CA125. Five patients have had an increase in CA125 after therapy after a median of three cycles (range 1-4), while 3 patients experienced normalization of CA125 and another with continued improvement in CA125. All symptomatic patients experienced rapid palliation of pain, nausea, and ascites. Side effects have been mild, with no grade 3 or 4 toxicities noted. No treatment delays or discontinuations have been necessary.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of advanced, recurrent, refractory epithelial ovarian cancer with bevacizumab and weekly taxane chemotherapy leads to significant, albeit temporary, improvement in the cancer-related symptoms in women treated on this regimen, and short-term exposure to these agents is not associated with significant toxicity. Thus, continued investigation of bevacizumab with weekly scheduling of cytotoxic chemotherapy is imperative.
Cohn
David E
DE
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, 320 West 10th Avenue, M-210 Starling Loving Hall, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. David.Cohn@osumc.edu
Valmadre
Sue
S
Resnick
Kimberly E
KE
Eaton
Lynne A
LA
Copeland
Larry J
LJ
Fowler
Jeffrey M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D017239:Paclitaxel