title: A pilot study of bevacizumab and interferon-α2b in ocular melanoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We hypothesized that administration of bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody that neutralizes vascular endothelial growth factor, in combination with high-dose interferon-alpha2b (IFN-α2b), an inhibitor of basic fibroblast growth factor, would have clinical activity in patients with metastatic ocular melanoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with metastatic ocular melanoma received bevacizumab (15 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks) plus IFN-α2b (5 MU/m subcutaneously 3 times weekly for 2 weeks followed by a dose of 10 MU/m subcutaneously thereafter). Patients exhibiting a clinical response or stabilization of disease were treated until disease progression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this pilot study, 5 patients were treated (3 men, 2 women) with a mean age of 63.8 years (range, 53-71 years). Overall, the regimen was well-tolerated. The following adverse events were noted: grade 3 dyspnea (2 patients), grade 3 and 4 fatigue (2), grade 3 muscle weakness (1), grade 3 anorexia (1), grade 1 and 2 proteinuria (2), and grade 3 diarrhea (1). All adverse events resolved with a treatment holiday or dose reduction. One patient had reduction in tumor burden of 23% by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria and 2 patients had stabilization of disease lasting 28 and 36 weeks, respectively. Two patients failed to respond and progressed after 6 and 7 weeks of therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bevacizumab and IFN-α2b were well tolerated in this patient population, and clinical activity was observed. Further study of high-dose IFN-α2b in combination with bevacizumab in this setting is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgical Oncology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
authors.forename: Kristan D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Guenterberg
authors.forename: Valerie P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Grignol
authors.forename: Kiran V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Relekar
authors.forename: Kimberly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Varker
authors.forename: Helen X
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Kari L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Kendra
authors.forename: Thomas E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Olencki
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Carson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000068258:Bevacizumab
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