A safety and survival analysis of neoadjuvant bevacizumab with standard chemoradiation in a phase I/II study compared with standard chemoradiation in locally advanced rectal cancer.
BACKGROUND
Bevacizumab is increasingly being tested with neoadjuvant regimens in patients with localized cancer, but its effects on metastasis and survival remain unknown. This study examines the long-term outcome of clinical stage II/III rectal cancer patients treated in a prospective phase II study of bevacizumab with chemoradiation and surgery. As a benchmark, we used data from an analysis of 42 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated with a contemporary approach of preoperative fluoropyrimidine-based radiation therapy.


METHODS
Outcome analyses were performed on 32 patients treated prospectively with neoadjuvant bevacizumab, 5-fluorouracil, radiation therapy, and surgery as well as 42 patients treated with standard fluoropyrimidine-based chemoradiation.


RESULTS
Overall survival, disease-free survival, and local control showed favorable trends in patients treated with bevacizumab with chemoradiation followed by surgery. Acute and postoperative toxicity appeared acceptable.


CONCLUSIONS
Neoadjuvant bevacizumab with standard chemoradiation and surgery shows promising long-term efficacy and safety profiles in locally advanced rectal cancer patients.
Willett
Christopher G
CG
Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. christopher.willett@duke.edu
Duda
Dan G
DG
Ancukiewicz
Marek
M
Shah
Mira
M
Czito
Brian G
BG
Bentley
Rex
R
Poleski
Martin
M
Fujita
Hiroshi
H
Lauwers
Gregory Y
GY
Carroll
Madeline
M
Tyler
Douglas
D
Mantyh
Christopher
C
Shellito
Paul
P
Chung
Daniel C
DC
Clark
Jeffrey W
JW
Jain
Rakesh K
RK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D005472:Fluorouracil