Phase II Study of Carboplatin, Paclitaxel, and Bevacizumab With Maintenance Bevacizumab As First-Line Chemotherapy for Advanced Müllerian Tumors

Purpose

New strategies are needed to improve outcomes for patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Bevacizumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody that neutralizes vascular endothelial growth factor but is associated with GI perforations (GIPs) in patients with recurrent disease.

Patients and Methods

An open-label, phase II clinical trial was conducted in newly diagnosed patients with stage ≥ IC epithelial müllerian tumors. Patients received intravenous (IV) carboplatin (area under the curve = 5), paclitaxel (175 mg/m2 IV), and bevacizumab (15 mg/kg IV) for six to eight cycles on day 1 every 21 days. Bevacizumab was omitted in the first cycle and continued as a single agent for 1 year.

Results

Sixty-two women participated in this study. Fifty-one patients (82%) were optimally surgically cytoreduced before treatment. The median age was 58 years (range, 18 to 77 years). Forty-five women (73%) had ovarian cancer, 10 (16%) had peritoneal cancer, four (6%) had fallopian tube cancers, and three (5%) had uterine papillary serous tumors. The majority of patients (90%) had stage III or IV disease. A median of 17 maintenance cycles (range, 0 to 25+ cycles) of bevacizumab (556 cycles) were administered with mild toxicity. Treatment was associated with two pulmonary embolisms and two GIPs, all occurring during the chemotherapy phase of treatment (364 total cycles). No grade 4 toxicities were seen during maintenance bevacizumab treatment. Radiographic responses were documented in 21 (75%) of 28 women with measurable disease (11 complete responses and 10 partial responses), with CA-125 responses in 76% of patients (11 complete responses, 21%; and 35 partial responses, 55%). The progression-free survival rate at 36 months was 58%.

Conclusion

The regimen of carboplatin, paclitaxel, and bevacizumab with maintenance bevacizumab is feasible, safe, and worthy of future study in advanced ovarian cancer.