Front-line bevacizumab in serous epithelial ovarian cancer: biomarker analysis of the FINAVAST trial

Abstract

Background: Potential tissue and serum biomarkers were assessed for predicting efficacy of bevacizumab in ovarian cancer (OC).

Patients and methods: Twenty patients with OC received chemotherapy alone (control group) or in combination with bevacizumab (study group) in this non-randomised study. Pre- and post-treatment serum concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were measured in all patients. In addition, immunohistochemical expressions VEGF receptors (R1, R2), hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1 alpha), matrix metalloproteinases (-2, -9) and TIMP-2 were analysed in tumours from bevacizumab-treated patients.

Results: 8-OHdG and HIF-1alpha immunostainings were more highly expressed among patients with progression-free survival (PFS) >23 months than in patients with PFS <12 months. Similarly, MMP-9 was more frequently highly expressed in those with long versus short PFS. Serum VEGF concentrations decreased substantially in all bevacizumab-treated patients versus only 20% of the control group.

Conclusion: Our results indicate differences in MMP-9 and HIF-1alpha expression in relation to duration of PFS and effects on serum VEGF when bevacizumab is used in combination with chemotherapy.