Background: In preclinical studies, the efficacy of the combination of antiangiogenic agents with chemotherapy seems to be dependent on the specific cytotoxic agent. We conducted a systematic review of the efficacy of bevacizumab in combination with taxane or non-taxane containing regimens for untreated, nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer patients.
Methods: An extensive search of published clinical trials was conducted from electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane) and meeting proceedings using relevant search criteria. Phase 2 and randomized trials reporting on the efficacy of bevacizumab combined with taxane or non-taxane regimens were selected. A systematic analysis of extracted data was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (Version 2.2) software. Clinical outcome in patients treated with taxane versus non-taxane regimen was compared using point estimates for weighted values of median overall survival, progression-free survival, and response rate.
Results: Twenty-nine studies reported between 2005 and 2015 were eligible. A total of 5890 patients (2767 and 3123 in the taxane and non-taxane groups, respectively) were included. The taxane and non-taxane groups were comparable in patient characteristics: median age, 62.8 versus 61.2 years; males, 57% versus 58%; adenocarcinomas, 83% versus 83%; stage IV, 87% versus 82%; performance status 0/1- 45/55% versus 41/59%, respectively. The weighted median overall survival was 14.4 versus 13.7 months (p = 0.5); progression-free survival was 6.93 versus 6.99 months (p = 0.61); response rate was 41% versus 39% (p = 0.65) for taxane and non-taxane groups.
Conclusions: The outcomes between taxane and non-taxane regimens when given in combination with bevacizumab for patients with nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer are comparable.