Preliminary results of the combination of bevacizumab and weekly Paclitaxel in advanced melanoma.
BACKGROUND
Pretreated advanced melanoma is a poor prognosis scenario with few, if any, active therapeutic options. The antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor, bevacizumab, has demonstrated increased activity in combination with chemotherapy in many tumors. We intended to evaluate the activity of the combination of weekly paclitaxel and bevacizumab in previously treated metastatic melanoma.


METHODS
Patients with previously treated metastatic melanoma received paclitaxel 70 mg/m(2) weekly and bevacizumab 10 mg/kg biweekly for 5 consecutive weeks every 6 weeks.


RESULTS
Twelve patients were treated. Two patients (16.6%) achieved a partial response and 7 patients (58.3%) stable disease. Responses were seen in soft tissue, lung and brain metastases. Median disease-free and overall survival times were 3.7 and 7.8 months, respectively. Treatment was well tolerated. Main toxicities were grade 3 asymptomatic lymphopenia in 6 patients, grade 3 leucopenia in 2 patients, and grade 3 thrombocytopenia in 1 patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Our preliminary results suggest that the combination of bevacizumab and weekly paclitaxel is active and safe in patients with metastatic melanoma, warranting further investigation.
Department of Oncology, University Clinic of Navarra, Navarra University, Pamplona, Spain.
M
M
González-Cao
S
S
Viteri
A
A
Díaz-Lagares
A
A
González
P
P
Redondo
Y
Y
Nieto
J
J
Espinós
A
A
Chopitea
M
M
Ponz
S
S
Martín-Algarra
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D017239:Paclitaxel