title: Risk profile of bevacizumab in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Severe adverse events (AEs) have been reported in cancer patients treated with bevacizumab. Currently, safety of bevacizumab in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is not clear. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the risk profile of bevacizumab in NSCLC patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relevant trials were identified by searching databases and conference proceedings. Data on treatment-related deaths and grade 3 or 4 AEs were extracted and pooled to calculate relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for bevacizumab compared with chemotherapy alone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 2210 patients were included in the analysis. Compared with chemotherapy alone, high-dosage (15 mg/kg) bevacizumab was associated with an increased risk of treatment-related deaths (RR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.18-3.52), but not for low-dosage (7.5 mg/kg) group (RR = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.60-2.41). In addition, treatment with bevacizumab was associated with several grade 3 or 4 AEs in patients with NSCLC, especially in high-dosage bevacizumab group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of the bevacizumab increases the risk of treatment-related deaths and several grade 3 or 4 AEs in patient with NSCLC. The risk may be dose-dependent. Close monitoring and adequate management are recommended to decrease severe AEs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Jianmiao
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hansvin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bunjhoo
authors.forename: Yongjian
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Huijuan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fang
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab