Bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy in the second-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer: results from the phase II BEVACOLOR study

Considerations and barriers to starting a new HAI pump program: an international survey of the HAI Consortium Research Network

BACKGROUND

Widespread implementation of HAI pump chemotherapy has been limited by logistic and feasibility concerns. Recent studies demonstrating excellent outcomes have fueled renewed enthusiasm and multiple new programs have emerged. This survey aims to identify barriers critical to establish a successful HAI program.

METHODS

Using SurveyMonkey™, a 17-question survey assessing factors required for establishing a successful program was developed by 12 HAI Consortium Research Network (HCRN) surgical oncologists. Content analysis was used to code textual responses. Frequency of categories and average rank scores for each choice were calculated.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight HCRN members responded to the survey. Implementation time varied, with 15 institutions requiring less than a year. Most programs (n = 17) became active in the past 5 years. Medical and surgical oncology were ranked most important for building a program (average ranking scores: 7.96 and 6.59/8). Administrative or regulatory approval was required at half of the institutions. The top 3 challenges faced when building a program were related to regulatory approval (6.65/9), device/equipment access (6.33/9), and drug (FUDR) access (6.25/9).

CONCLUSION

Development of successful programs outside of historically established centers is feasible and requires a multidisciplinary team. Future collaborative efforts are critical for sustainability of safe/effective new programs.

Phase IIIb study of the bevacizumab biosimilar candidate BI 695502 plus mFOLFOX6 in metastatic colorectal cancer

Aim: This study assessed the safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity of the bevacizumab biosimilar candidate BI 695502 plus mFOLFOX6 in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Materials & methods: Patients with untreated mCRC received BI 695502 and chemotherapy (oxaliplatin, leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil). Primary end point: proportion of patients with prespecified adverse events (AEs). Results: Of 123 patients enrolled and treated, 58.5% experienced prespecified AEs. Median progression-free survival was 10.5 months, median overall survival was 19.4 months, and objective response rate was 61.0%. There were no antidrug antibody or neutralizing antidrug antibody-positive samples post-baseline. Trough BI 695502 plasma concentrations increased until cycle 9 and stabilized thereafter. Conclusion: BI 695502 has an acceptable safety and efficacy profile in the treatment of mCRC.

Trial Registration Number: NCT02776683 ( ClinicalTrials.gov ), 2015-003718-25 (EudraCT, European Clinical Trials Database https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/search?query=2015-003718-25 )

Study name: Study 1302.3

Outcomes of Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Treated with Trifluridine/Tipiracil beyond the Second Line: A Multicenter Retrospective Study from Saudi Arabia

Background

The outcome of patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated with trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) beyond the second-line has not been studied in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this multicenter retrospective analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of FTD/TPI.

Methods

This multicenter retrospective analysis included five centers in Saudi Arabia. FTD/TPI was administered to all the patients beyond the oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based chemotherapy regimens. The electronic medical records were reviewed, and progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were determined.

Results

The study included 100 patients with a mean age of 55.4 ± 11.8 years. The overall response to FTD/TPI was 4%. The median PFS was 4 months (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.487–4.513), and the median OS was 11 months (95% CI, 9.226–12.771). In a Cox regression analysis of the independent predictors for PFS, advanced stage of the disease (P = 0.037; HR, 2.614; and CI, 1.102–7.524), presence of lymph node metastasis (P = 0.018; HR, 3.664; and 95% CI, 1.187–8.650), and >2 metastatic sites (P = 0.020; HR, 1.723; and 95% CI, 1.089–2.727) were independent factors predicting disease progression. The Cox regression analysis confirmed that age ≥ 55 years (P = 0.046; HR, 1.667; and 95%, 1.097–3.100), advanced disease stage (P = 0.044; HR, 1.283; and 95% CI, 1.035–2.940), prior use of adjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.037; HR, 0.892; and 95% CI, 0.481–0.994), liver metastasis (P = 0.025; HR, 2.015; and 95% CI, 1.091–3.720), >2 metastatic sites (P = 0.038; HR, 1.248; and 95% CI, 1.036–1.846), development of neutropenia after receiving first cycle of FTD/TPI (P = 0.042; HR, 1.505; and 95% CI, 1.064–2.167), and increased number of FTD/TPI cycles (P = 0.002; HR, 0.769; and 95% CI, 0.664–0.891) were independent variables for OS.

Conclusion

Treatment with FTD/TPI is feasible and effective in daily clinical practice in Saudi Arabian patients. The risk of progression increased with advanced disease stage, lymph node metastasis, bone metastasis, and metastasis to >2 sites. Age ≥ 55 years, advanced disease stage, liver metastasis, metastasis to >2 sites, neutropenia after the first cycle of FTD/TPI, and increased number of FTD/TPI cycles were independent factors predicting mortality.

A phase II clinical study of combining FOLFIRI and bevacizumab plus erlotinib in 2nd-line chemotherapy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

We conducted an open-label single-arm phase II study by combining irinotecan (FOLFIRI) and bevacizumab (BV) plus erlotinib (ER) in 2nd-line chemotherapy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).Eligible mCRC patients received 1st-line standard chemotherapy but still had progressive disease. They were given FOLFIRI plus BV at 2.5 mg/kg on day 1 per 2-week cycle, and daily 150 mg ER. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS).A total of 122 patients enrolled in the study. Among them, 55.7% were male patients and median age was 58.4 years (29-72 years). Median PFS was 7.1 months (95% CI 4.3-10.2). Median overall survival (OS) was 13.5 months (95% CI 9.7-16.4). No patients had complete responses, 24 patients had partial response (19.6%) and 59 had stable disease (48.4%). The most frequent adverse event (AE) was rash, with 66 patients (54.1%) had grade 3/4 rash. Other frequent grade 3/4 AEs were fatigue (n = 36, 29.5%), bleeding (n = 31, 25.4%), neutropenia (n = 23, 18.9%), and platelets (n = 14, 11.5%).Combining FOLFIRI and BV plus ER in 2nd-line chemotherapy is efficient to treat mCRC patients with acceptable safety.

Hepatotoxicity following systemic therapy for colorectal liver metastases and the impact of chemotherapy-associated liver injury on outcomes after curative liver resection

Patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM) have remarkably benefited from the advances in medical multimodal treatment and surgical techniques over the last two decades leading to significant improvements in long-term survival. More patients are currently undergoing liver resection following neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which has been increasingly established within the framework of curative-indented treatment strategies. However, the use of several cytotoxic agents has been linked to specific liver injuries that not only impair the ability of liver tissue to regenerate but also decrease long-term survival. One of the most common agents included in modern chemotherapy regimens is oxaliplatin, which is considered to induce a parenchymal damage of the liver primarily involving the sinusoids defined as sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS). Administration of bevacizumab, an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), has been reported to improve response of CLM to chemotherapy in clinical studies, concomitantly protecting the liver from the development of SOS. In this review, we aim to summarize current data on multimodal treatment concepts for CLM, give an in-depth overview of liver damage caused by cytostatic agents focusing on oxaliplatin-induced SOS, and evaluate the role of bevacizumab to improve clinical outcomes of patients with CLM and to protect the liver from the development of SOS.

Treatment with Antiangiogenic Drugs in Multiple Lines in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

Background. In metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), continuing antiangiogenic drugs beyond progression might provide clinical benefit. We synthesized the available evidence in a meta-analysis. Patients and Methods. We conducted a meta-analysis of studies investigating the use of antiangiogenic drugs beyond progression. Eligible studies were randomized phase II/III trials. Primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints were the impact of continuing antiangiogenic drugs (i) in subgroups, (ii) in different types of compounds targeting the VEGF-axis (monoclonal antibodies versus tyrosine kinase inhibitors), and (iii) on remission rates and prevention of progression. Results. Eight studies (3,668 patients) were included. Continuing antiangiogenic treatment beyond progression significantly improved PFS (HR 0.64; 95%-CI, 0.55-0.75) and OS (HR 0.83; 95%-CI, 0.76-0.89). PFS was significantly improved in all subgroups with comparable HR. OS was improved in all subgroups stratified by age, gender, and ECOG status. The rate of patients achieving at least stable disease was improved with an OR of 2.25 (95%-CI, 1.41-3.58). Conclusions. This analysis shows a significant PFS and OS benefit as well as a benefit regarding disease stabilization when using antiangiogenic drugs beyond progression in mCRC. Future studies should focus on the optimal sequence of administering antiangiogenic drugs.

Observational Cohort Study of Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Initiating Chemotherapy in Combination With Bevacizumab (CONCERT)

BACKGROUND

The CONCERT study (observational cohort study of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer initiating chemotherapy in combination with bevacizumab) aimed to describe patient characteristics, bevacizumab use, its efficacy in terms of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), and its safety in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated in daily medical practice.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

CONCERT was an observational, prospective, multicenter, cohort study conducted in France. Patients with mCRC initiating bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy were included and followed up for ≤ 36 months.

RESULTS

Overall, 737 evaluable patients were assessed, and 71%, 21%, and 8% initiated bevacizumab as first-, second-, or third-line therapy or more, respectively. Their mean age was 64.5 years (range, 25-88 years), and 60% were men. Bevacizumab was mainly started at 5 mg/kg every 2 weeks (95%) and mostly combined with FOLFIRI (leucovorin, 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan; 68.0%) or FOLFOX (leucovorin, 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin; 22.0%). The median PFS was 10.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.6-11.3) in first-line, 8.5 months (95% CI, 7.0-9.2) in second-line, and 6.3 months (95% CI, 4.5-8.9) in third-line or beyond. The corresponding median OS was 25.3 months (95% CI, 21.5-28.6), 19.1 months (95% CI, 15.7-22.6), and 14.9 months (95% CI, 11.6-20.4). In first-line treatment, primary tumor resection and oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy were prognostic of a longer PFS. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥ 2, > 1 metastatic sites, and intermediate or high risk using the Köhne prognostic index were associated with shorter PFS. The safety profile of bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy was comparable to that found by other observational studies of mCRC.

CONCLUSION

The efficacy and safety results of bevacizumab plus chemotherapy as first- and second-line treatment of mCRC in daily practice in the CONCERT observational, prospective study were in line with those from randomized clinical studies.

Bevacizumab plus FOLFOX or FOLFIRI regimens on patients with unresectable liver-only metastases of metastatic colorectal cancer

Background:

The present study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of at least three cycles of Bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy regimens, FOLFIRI or FOLFOX to treat liver metastatic colorectal cancer and improved response rates in these patients.

Materials and Methods:

In this non-randomized clinical trial, 38 patients were enrolled and followed for 12-weeks period of chemotherapy. Fifteen patients under treated with FOLOFX (Group I), 15 patients under treated with FOLOFIRI (Group II), 4 patients under treated with FOLOFX + Bevacizumab (Group III), and 34 patients under treated with FOLOFIRI + Bevacizumab (Group IV). Response to treatment was assessed in all patients as main endpoint. Patients in groups I and II, who did not response to treatment after 12 weeks of chemotherapy, were followed by groups III and IV regimens, respectively, for 12 weeks.

Results:

Overall response rate was 35% (19 of 54), and complete response (CR), partial response (PR), progressive disease (PD), and stable disease (SD) rates in all patients were 18%, 17%, 35%, and 30%. PR, SD, and PD were different among groups, but no statistical significance was noted among groups (P-value >0.05). No patient achieved a CR in groups III and IV, although CR was observed in 4 patients (27%) and 6 patients (40%) in groups I and II, respectively. The rare of CR was statistically significant among studied groups (P-value = 0.013).

Conclusion:

Results showed that adding Bevacizumab to chemotherapy regimens, in patients who did not response to FOLFIRI or FOLFOX regimen, did not increase CR in these patients.

Effectiveness and safety of monoclonal antibodies for metastatic colorectal cancer treatment: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The effectiveness of chemotherapy (CT) for select cases of metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC) has been well established in the literature, however, it provides limited benefits and in many cases constitutes a treatment with high toxicity. The use of specific molecular biological treatments with monoclonal antibodies (MA) has been shown to be relevant, particularly for its potential for increasing the response rate of the host to the tumour, as these have molecular targets present in the cancerous cells and their microenvironment thereby blocking their development. The combination of MA and CT can bring a significant increase in the rate of resectability of metastases, the progression-free survival (PFS), and the global survival (GS) in MCRC patients.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness and safety of MA in the treatment of MCRC.

METHODS

A systematic review was carried out with a meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials comparing the use of cetuximab, bevacizumab, and panitumumab in the treatment of MCRC.

RESULTS

Sixteen randomised clinical trials were selected. The quality of the evidence on the question was considered moderate and data from eight randomised clinical trials were included in this meta-analysis. The GS and PFS were greater in the groups which received the MA associated with CT, however, the differences were not statistically significant between the groups (mean of 17.7 months versus 17.1 months; mean difference of 1.09 (CI: 0.10-2.07); p = 0.84; and 7.4 versus 6.9 months. mean difference of 0.76 (CI: 0.08-1.44); p = 0.14 respectively). The meta-analysis was not done for any of the secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The addition of MA to CT for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer does not prolong GS and PFS.

FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab as second-line therapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer after first-line bevacizumab plus oxaliplatin-based therapy: the randomized phase III EAGLE study

EAGLE was a randomized, multicenter phase III study which evaluated the superiority of bevacizumab 10 mg/kg plus FOLFIRI compared with bevacizumab 5 mg/kg plus FOLFIRI in patients with mCRC previously treated with first-line bevacizumab plus an oxaliplatin-based regimen. The results suggest that the higher 10 mg/kg dose offers no clear clinical benefit compared with bevacizumab 5 mg/kg in this setting.

Background

A targeted agent combined with chemotherapy is the standard treatment in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The present phase III study was conducted to compare two doses of bevacizumab combined with irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (FOLFIRI) in the second-line setting after first-line therapy with bevacizumab plus oxaliplatin-based therapy.

Patients and methods

Patients were randomly assigned to receive FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab 5 or 10 mg/kg in 2-week cycles until disease progression. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS), and secondary end points included overall survival (OS), time to treatment failure (TTF), and safety.

Results

Three hundred and eighty-seven patients were randomized between September 2009 and January 2012 from 100 institutions in Japan. Baseline patient characteristics were well balanced between the two groups. Efficacy was evaluated in 369 patients (5 mg/kg, n = 181 and 10 mg/kg, n = 188). Safety was evaluated in 365 patients (5 mg/kg, n = 180 and 10 mg/kg, n = 185). The median PFS was 6.1 versus 6.4 months (hazard ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75–1.21; P = 0.676), and median TTF was 5.2 versus 5.2 months (hazard ratio, 1.01; 95% CI 0.81–1.25; P = 0.967), respectively, for the bevacizumab 5 and 10 mg/kg groups. Follow-up of OS is currently ongoing. Adverse events, including hypertension and hemorrhage, occurred at similar rates in both groups.

Conclusion

Bevacizumab 10 mg/kg plus FOLFIRI as the second-line treatment did not prolong PFS compared with bevacizumab 5 mg/kg plus FOLFIRI in patients with mCRC. If bevacizumab is continued after first-line therapy in mCRC, a dose of 5 mg/kg is appropriate for use as second-line treatment.

Clinical trial identifier

UMIN000002557.

Multicenter phase II study of FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab after discontinuation of oxaliplatin-based regimen for advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer (CR0802)

Background

To investigate the efficacy and safety of FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab regimen with irinotecan (180 mg/m²) in patients with advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer who were of the wild-type or heterozygous group for UGT1A1*28 and *6 polymorphisms and discontinued to oxaliplatin-based regimen, prospectively.

Methods

The study population consisted of patients who had discontinued oxaliplatin-based regimen for any reason. The primary endpoint was the response rate. FOLFIRI and bevacizumab regimen [irinotecan: 180 mg/m², 5-fluorouracil infusion: 2400 mg/m², 5-fluorouracil bolus: 400 mg/m², levofolinate calcium: 200 mg/m², bevacizumab: 5 mg/kg] was repeated every 2 weeks for up to 24 cycles.

Results

Ninety-four patients were enrolled; 93 patients were evaluated on safety, 94 patients on efficacy. The response rate was 10.1% (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.7-18.3%). The median time to treatment failure, progression-free survival, and overall survival were 4.1 months (95% CI: 2.8-4.8 months), 5.4 months (95% CI: 4.1-6.2 months), and 14.5 months (95% CI: 11.8-17.0 months), respectively. The treatment-related death was 1.1%, and the early death ≤30 days after the last study treatment was 1.1%. The incidence of grade 3 or higher adverse events was 60.2% for neutropenia, 23.7% for leukopenia, 9.7% for diarrhea, 6.5% for anorexia, and 5.4% for fatigue. All these adverse events and other adverse events were controllable.

Conclusions

FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab regimen with an initial irinotecan dose of 180 mg/m² exhibited an adequate antitumor effect and was confirmed to be manageable and tolerable in Japanese patients with advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer, who had discontinued oxaliplatin-based regimen.

Trial registration

UMIN000001817.

A phase I/II study of biweekly capecitabine and irinotecan plus bevacizumab as second-line chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Background

Triweekly capecitabine plus irinotecan (XELIRI) is not completely regarded as a valid substitute for fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) because of the potential for greater toxicity. We conducted a phase I/II study to assess the efficacy and safety of biweekly XELIRI plus bevacizumab (BV) as second-line chemotherapy for mCRC.

Methods

Patients with mCRC who had received prior chemotherapy including oxaliplatin and BV and had a UGT1A1 genotype of wild-type or heterozygous for UGT1A1*6 or *28 were eligible for this study. Treatment comprised capecitabine 1,000 mg/m² twice daily from the evening of day 1 to the morning of day 8, intravenous irinotecan on day 1, and BV 5 mg/kg on day 1 every 2 weeks. The phase I study consisted of two steps (irinotecan 150 and 180 mg/m²), and dose-limiting toxicity was assessed during the first treatment cycle. The primary endpoint of the phase II study was progression-free survival (PFS).

Results

The recommended dose of irinotecan was determined to be 180 mg/m² in the phase I study. Between November 2010 and August 2013, 44 patients were enrolled in phase II. The patients’ characteristics were as follows (N=44): median age, 60 years (range 32–80); male/female, 21/23; and UGT1A1 wild-type/heterozygous, 29/15. The median PFS was 6.8 months (95% confidence interval, 5.3–8.2 months), and the primary endpoint was met. Median overall survival was 18.3 months. The response rate was 22.7%. There was no significant difference in PFS or overall survival according to UGT1A1 status. Grade 3 or higher adverse events were mainly neutropenia in six patients and diarrhea in five patients. There were no other severe adverse events or treatment-related deaths.

Conclusion

In mCRC patients with wild-type or heterozygous UGT1A1*6 or *28 genotype, biweekly XELIRI + BV is effective and feasible as second-line chemotherapy. Biweekly XELIRI + BV is considered a valid substitute for FOLFIRI + BV in mCRC.

Phase II trial of hepatic artery infusional and systemic chemotherapy for patients with unresectable hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer: conversion to resection and long-term outcomes

PURPOSE

Evaluate conversion rate of patients with unresectable colorectal-liver metastasis to complete resection with hepatic-arterial infusion plus systemic chemotherapy including bevacizumab (Bev).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty-nine patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) were included in a single-institution phase II trial. Conversion to resection was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival, and response rates. Multivariate and landmark analyses were performed to evaluate survival differences between resected and nonresected patients.

RESULTS

Median number of tumors was 14 and 65% were previously treated patients. A high biliary toxicity rate was found in the first 24 patients whose treatment included Bev. The remaining 25 patients were treated without Bev. Overall response rates were 76% (4 complete responses). Twenty-three patients (47%) achieved conversion to resection at a median of 6 months from treatment initiation. Median OS and progression-free survival for all patients were 38 (95% confidence interval: 28 to not reached) and 13 months (95% confidence interval: 7-16). Bev administration did not impact outcome. Conversion was the only factor associated with prolonged OS and progression-free survival in multivariate analysis. On landmark analysis, patients who had undergone resection had longer OS than those who did not undergo resection (3-year OS: 80% vs 26%). Currently, 10 of 49 (20%) patients have no evidence of disease (NED) at a median follow-up of 39 months (32-65 months).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with extensive unresectable CRLM, the majority of whom were previously treated, 47% were able to undergo complete resection after combined HAI and systemic therapy. Conversion to resection is associated with prolonged survival.

Bevacizumab exposure beyond first disease progression in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: analyses of the ARIES observational cohort study

PURPOSE

This analysis from Avastin® Registries: Investigation of Effectiveness and Safety (ARIES) examined the association between exposure to bevacizumab after disease progression (PD) and postprogression survival (PPS) in bevacizumab-exposed metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) through the application of time-dependent and time-fixed analytical methods.

METHODS

Patients with mCRC who were treated with first-line bevacizumab and who survived first PD (PD1) were included. A time-dependent Cox regression model was fitted to assess the effect of cumulative bevacizumab exposure on PPS, while controlling for potential confounders. In addition to support findings from previous studies, a modified intent-to-treat (mITT) analysis compared PPS in patients who received bevacizumab beyond disease progression (BBP) with those who did not (No-BBP).

RESULTS

Of 1550 patients, 1199 survived PD1 and had a median PPS of 13.4 months. Cumulative bevacizumab exposure was associated with improved PPS (p = 0.0040). After adjusting for confounders, the hazard ratios (HRs) for PPS decreased, on average, by 1.2% (range, 1.1-1.3%) with each additional dose of bevacizumab. In the mITT analysis, the median PPS for BBP (n = 438) was 14.4 months vs 10.6 months with for No-BBP (n = 667). BBP was found to be independently associated with longer PPS in a multivariable Cox regression analysis (HR, 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.73-0.97). Protocol-specified adverse events suspected to be associated with bevacizumab occurred in 13.0% of patients with BBP.

CONCLUSION

This analysis supports the observation that bevacizumab exposure after PD1 is associated with longer PPS in mCRC.

Anti-EGFR and anti-VEGF agents: Important targeted therapies of colorectal liver metastases

Colorectal liver metastasis (CLM) is common worldwide. Targeted therapies with monoclonal antibodies have been proven effective in numerous clinical trials, and are now becoming standards for patients with CLM. The development and application of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) antibodies represents significant advances in the treatment of this disease. However, new findings continue to emerge casting doubt on the efficacy of this approach. The Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS) has been proven to be a crucial predictor of the success of anti-EGFR treatment in CLM. Whereas a recent study summarized several randomized controlled trials, and showed that patients with the KRAS G13D mutation significantly benefited from the addition of cetuximab in terms of progress-free survival (PFS, 4.0 mo vs 1.9 mo, HR = 0.51, P = 0.004) and overall survival (OS, 7.6 mo vs 5.7 mo, HR = 0.50, P = 0.005). Some other studies also reported that the KRAS G13D mutation might not be absolutely predictive of non-responsiveness to anti-EGFR therapy. At the same time, “new” RAS mutations, including mutations in neuroblastoma RAS viral (v-ras) oncogene homolog (NRAS) and exons 3 and 4 of KRAS, have been suggested to be predictors of a poor treatment response. This finding was first reported by the update of the PRIME trial. The update showed that for patients with non-mutated KRAS exon 2 but other RAS mutations, panitumumab-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX)4 treatment led to inferior PFS (HR = 1.28, 95%CI: 0.79-2.07) and OS (HR = 1.29, 95%CI: 0.79-2.10), which was consistent with the findings in patients with KRAS mutations in exon 2. Then, the update of the PEAK trial and the FIRE-III trial also supported this finding, which would reduce candidates for anti-EGFR therapy but enhance the efficacy. In first-line targeted combination therapy, the regimens of cetuximab plus FOLFOX was called into question because of the inferior prognosis in the COIN trial and the NORDIC-VII trial. Also, bevacizumab plus oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy was questioned because of the NO16966 trial. By the update and further analysis of the COIN trial and the NORDIC-VII trial, cetuximab plus FOLFOX was reported to be reliable again. But bevacizumab plus oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy was still controversial. In addition, some trials have reported that bevacizumab is not suitable for conversion therapy. The results of the FIRE-III trial showed that cetuximab led to a significant advantage over bevacizumab in response rate (72% vs 63%, P = 0.017) for evaluable population. With the balanced allocation of second-line treatment, the FIRE-III trial was expected to provide evidence for selecting following regimens after first-line progression. There is still no strong evidence for the efficacy of targeted therapy as a preoperative treatment for resectable CLM or postoperative treatment for resected CLM, although the combined regimen is often administered based on experience. Combination therapy with more than one targeted agent has been proven to provide no benefit, and even was reported to be harmful as first-line treatment by four large clinical trials. However, recent studies reported positive results of erlotinib plus bevacizumab for maintenance treatment. The mechanism of antagonism between different targeted agents deserves further study, and may also provide greater understanding of the development of resistance to targeted agents.

Bevacizumab plus irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil, and leucovorin (FOLFIRI) as the second-line therapy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, a multicenter study

Poor prognosis is associated with patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. To seek effective methods, we examine the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab plus FOLFIRI as a second-line chemotherapy in Chinese patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). A total of 55 patients with previous failure of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy were included in this study, from October 2010 to February 2012. All patients received bevacizumab (5 mg/kg) plus FOLFIRI every other week until disease progression or intolerable toxicity occurred. The response rate was 31%, and the disease-controlled rate was 76.4%. The median progression-free survival was 6 months, and the median overall survival was 17 months. Adverse events (AEs) related to chemotherapy were mild to moderate. Only the incidence of grade 3-4 neutropenia reached to 25.5%. The incidence of AEs related to bevacizumab was low. These AEs included grade 3-4 toxicities of hypertension and proteinuria 5.4 and 3.6%, respectively. Bevacizumab plus FOLFIRI is an effective and safe regimen as a second-line treatment for patients with mCRC in China.

Safety and efficacy of modified FOLFOX6 plus high-dose bevacizumab in second-line or later treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

AIM

The aim of this retrospective study was to show the efficacy and safety of modified FOLFOX6 plus high-dose bevacizumab (10 mg/kg/2 weeks) in the second-line or later treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.

METHODS

A total of 24 consecutive patients treated between August 2007 and August 2009 were included in this retrospective study. None of the patients had received bevacizumab as part of prior treatment.

RESULTS

All 24 patients received modified FOLFOX6 plus high-dose bevacizumab and were followed for a median of 36.9 months. Overall response rate was 29%. Median progression-free survival was 7.5 months, and median overall survival was 17.3 months. Grade 3/4 adverse events were: neutropenia (54.2%), leukopenia (25.0%), neuropathy (12.5%), hypertension (12.5%), thrombocytopenia (8.3%), and decreased haemoglobin, gastrointestinal haemorrhage, wound complications, nausea, diarrhoea, mucositis and fatigue (each 4.2%).

CONCLUSION

Modified FOLFOX6 plus high-dose bevacizumab may be useful in the second-line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who have not received bevacizumab.

Adverse events associated with antiangiogenic agents in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer and their management

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in men and women, and, despite advances in detection and treatment that result in a steadily decreasing incidence and mortality, remains a leading cause of death. The 5-year survival rate of persons with metastatic CRC (mCRC) is only 12%. With the recognition of vascularity as an important factor in tumor proliferation and growth, targeting angiogenesis pathways has been a major focus of research. The addition of bevacizumab, an inhibitor of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway, to cytotoxic chemotherapy has improved response rates and survival of patients with mCRC. Aflibercept, a potent new multiple angiogenic factor trap that prevents not only VEGF-A but also VEGF-B and placental growth factor from activating their native receptors, has demonstrated efficacy in previously treated patients with mCRC. Phase I/II clinical trials and, more recently, a phase III clinical trial, have demonstrated effective antiangiogenic and cytotoxic activity with acceptable safety and tolerability. As is the case with bevacizumab, the optimal use of aflibercept requires appropriate management of the associated anti-VEGF adverse events and those associated with its use in combination with chemotherapy. These adverse events have previously been observed and are generally manageable with appropriate therapeutic intervention.

FOLFIRI + bevacizumab as second-line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer pretreated with oxaliplatin: a pooled analysis of published trials

Irinotecan and infusional 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy (FOLFIRI) plus bevacizumab (FOLFIRI-B) is one of the most effective treatments of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). However, this schedule is regarded more extensively as first-line therapy and its efficacy has not been proven in phase III randomised trials in oxaliplatin-pretreated patients. We have performed a systematic review through PubMed and EMBASE, including all prospective and retrospective publications exploring the efficacy of FOLFIRI-B as second-line chemotherapy in advanced CRC patients pretreated with oxaliplatin and not with B. Pooled estimates of the response rates (RR), weighted medians of progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) from all FOLFIRI-B-containing arms were calculated. A total of 11 studies (one randomised phase II trial, two phase II trials, two observational studies, two prospective non-randomised collections, and four retrospective case series) were retrieved giving a total of 435 patients. Overall, the pooled RR (n = 11 publications) was 26 %. Median PFS and OS (n = 11 and 10 publications, respectively) were 8.3 and 17.2 months. FOLFIRI-B is a reasonable and effective option for stage IV CRC pretreated with oxaliplatin and not exposed to B during first-line treatment. Its activity seems better than historical FOLFIRI-based second-line trials.

Critical appraisal of bevacizumab in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. The prognosis of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer in recent years has increased from 5 months with best supportive care to nearly 2 years with chemotherapy combined with bevacizumab, an antivascular endothelial growth factor monoclonal antibody. New prognostic and predictive biomarkers have been identified to guide chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer, such as KRAS and BRAF oncogenes. However, the status of these oncogenes does not affect the efficacy of bevacizumab, and biomarkers predicting response to treatment with bevacizumab are still lacking. Addition of bevacizumab to regimens based on fluoropyrimidines or irinotecan has been shown to improve overall survival in treatment-naïve patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Similarly, a significant increase in overall survival rate is achieved by adding bevacizumab to fluoropyrimidines and oxaliplatin in patients with disease progression. Bevacizumab has been found to be effective even when used as third-line therapy and later. In addition, cohort studies have shown that bevacizumab improves survival significantly despite disease progression. Finally, bevacizumab therapy in the neoadjuvant setting for the treatment of liver metastasis is well tolerated, safe, and effective.

The efficacy and safety of bevacizumab beyond first progression in patients treated with first-line mFOLFOX6 followed by second-line FOLFIRI in advanced colorectal cancer: a multicenter, single-arm, phase II trial (CCOG-0801)

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the planned continuation of bevacizumab beyond first progression (BBP) in Japanese patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Methods

Previously untreated patients with assessable disease were treated with mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab until tumor progression, followed by FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab. The primary endpoint of the study was the second progression-free survival (2nd PFS), defined as duration from enrollment until progression after the second-line therapy. Secondary endpoints of the study were overall survival (OS), survival beyond first progression (SBP), progression-free survival (PFS), response rate (RR), disease control rate (DCR), and safety.

Results

In the first-line setting, 47 patients treated with mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab achieved RR of 61.7 %, DCR of 89.4 %, and median PFS of 13.1 months (95 % CI, 8.7–17.5 months). Thirty-one patients went on to receive a second-line therapy with FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab and achieved RR of 27.6 %, DCR of 62.1 %, and median PFS of 7.3 months (95 % CI, 5.0–9.6 months). Median 2nd PFS was 18.0 months (95 % CI, 13.7–22.3 months). The median OS and SBP were 30.8 months (95 % CI, 27.6–34.0 months) and 19.6 months (95 % CI, 13.5–25.7 months), respectively. No critical events associated with bevacizumab were observed during the second-line therapy.

Conclusion

The planned continuation of bevacizumab during a second-line treatment, BBP strategy, is feasible for the Japanese mCRC patients.

Bevacizumab every 4 weeks is as effective as every 2 weeks in combination with biweekly FOLFIRI in metastatic colorectal cancer

PURPOSE

The efficacy and tolerability of bevacizumab every 2 or 4 weeks using the same dosage in combination with biweekly FOLFIRI were retrospectively evaluated in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients in the first-line and second-line therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 332 patients from six centers were evaluated. The patients had received biweekly FOLFIRI in combination with bevacizumab 5 mg/kg every 2 weeks or every 4 weeks schedule for various reasons in individual patients.

RESULTS

Approximately 70 % of all patients had 2-week treatment schedule. In the first-line therapy (n = 240), the overall response rate (ORR) was 34.1 % in 2-week and 36.3 % in 4-week groups. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 8 months (95 %CI, 6.8-9.2) and 9 months (95 %CI, 6.6-11.4) (p = 0.074), and median overall survival (OS) was 22 months (95 %CI, 15.8-28.2) and 20 months (95 %CI, 8.1-31.9) (p = 0.612) in 2- and 4-week groups, respectively. One-year survival rate was 76.2 % for 2-week group and 73.2 % for 4-week group. In the second-line therapy (n = 92), the ORR was similar between the groups (24.5 vs 25.9 % in 2- and 4-week groups, respectively). Median PFS was 6 months (95 %CI, 4.7-7.3) and 11 months (95 %CI, 6.3-15.7) (p = 0.074), and median OS was 15 months (95 %CI, 9.6-20.4) and 17 months (95 %CI, 13.7-20.3) (p = 0.456) for 2-week and for 4-week groups, respectively. One-year survival rate was 61.3 % for 2-week and 71.3 % for 4-week groups. Toxicity profile was similar in 2- and 4-week groups and included neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, mucositis, bleeding, hypertension, thromboembolism and fistulization.

CONCLUSION

Bevacizumab 5 mg/kg every 2 weeks or every 4 weeks in combination with biweekly FOLFIRI had similar efficacy and tolerability in mCRC. Because of the retrospective nature of our study, the data should be examined cautiously. However, our study clearly points out the need for determination of optimum biological dosing interval of bevacizumab in well-designed, prospective, randomized trials.