Salvage chemotherapy with bevacizumab for recurrent alkylator-refractory anaplastic astrocytoma

J Neurooncol. 2009 Feb;91(3):359-67. doi: 10.1007/s11060-008-9722-2. Epub 2008 Oct 25.

Abstract

A retrospective study of bevacizumab only in adults with recurrent temozolomide (TMZ)-refractory anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) with a primary objective of determining progression free survival (PFS). There is no standard therapy for alkylator-resistant AA and hence a need exists for new therapies. Twenty-five patients (15 men; 10 women) ages 26-63 (median 50), with radiographically recurrent AA were treated. All patients had previously been treated with surgery, involved-field radiotherapy, and alkylator-based chemotherapy. Fourteen patients underwent repeat surgery. Patients were treated at second recurrence with bevacizumab (10 mg/kg), once every 2 weeks (defined as a single cycle). Neurological evaluation was performed every 2 weeks and neuroradiographic assessment following the initial two cycles of bevacizumab and subsequently after every four cycles of bevacizumab. All patients were evaluable for toxicity and response. A total of 360 cycles of bevacizumab (median 14 cycles; range 2-40) was administered. Bevacizumab-related toxicity included fatigue (14 patients; 2 grade 3), leukopenia (7; 1 grade 3), deep vein thrombosis (5; 2 grade 3), hypertension (5; 1 grade 3), anemia (4; 0 grade 3) and wound dehiscence (1; 1 grade 3). Sixteen patients (64%) demonstrated a partial radiographic response, 2 (8.0%) stable disease and 7 (28%) progressive disease following two cycles of bevacizumab. Time to tumor progression ranged from 1 to 20 months (median: 7). Survival ranged from 2 to 23 months (median: 9.0). 6-month and 12-month PFS were 60 and 20%, respectively. Bevacizumab demonstrated efficacy and acceptable toxicity in this cohort of adults with recurrent alkylator refractory AA.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Astrocytoma / drug therapy*
  • Astrocytoma / mortality*
  • Bevacizumab
  • Brain Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Brain Neoplasms / mortality*
  • Disease Progression
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local* / drug therapy
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local* / mortality
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Bevacizumab