Bevacizumab in advanced endometrial cancer

Gynecol Oncol. 2021 Jun;161(3):720-726. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2021.04.016. Epub 2021 Apr 22.

Abstract

Objective: Prospective data have demonstrated the efficacy of bevacizumab monotherapy in the treatment of advanced endometrial cancer. Bevacizumab is used off-label, and real-world data regarding the role of bevacizumab in endometrial cancer treatment are scant. In this largest single-institution retrospective study of its kind, we report our experience with bevacizumab monotherapy in the treatment of advanced/recurrent endometrial cancer.

Methods: All eligible patients (n = 101) had histologically confirmed endometrial cancer and were treated with bevacizumab at our institution from 2004 to 2017. Demographic data and tumor characteristics were obtained through chart review. Primary objective was response to therapy determined by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST v1.1).

Results: Analysis included 13 grade 1/2 endometrioid, 15 grade 3 endometrioid, 44 serous, 8 carcinosarcoma, and 21 other/mixed histologies. No patients achieved complete (CR) or partial (PR) responses; 19 achieved stable disease (SD). The clinical benefit rate (CBR; CR + PR + SD) was 19% (95% CI: 12-28%). The CBRs were 7%, 17%, 21%, and 23% for patients with 1, 2, 3, and ≥ 4 prior treatment lines. Median PFS ranged from 2.6 months (2 lines) to 4.9 months (≥4 lines). The 3-year OS rate was 58% (95% CI: 47-67%). The median OS was 3.4 years (95% CI: 2.9-4.2), ranging from 2.5 years (2 lines) to 4.5 years (≥4 lines). The most common treatment-related adverse event was hypertension; 35 (78%) of 45 were grade 1 or 2.

Conclusions: In heavily pretreated advanced endometrial cancer, bevacizumab was associated with modest clinical efficacy and remains a viable palliative option in this setting.

Keywords: Bevacizumab; Cancer therapy; Endometrial cancer; Survival analysis; VEGF; Vascular endothelial growth factor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / therapeutic use*
  • Bevacizumab / administration & dosage
  • Bevacizumab / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinosarcoma / drug therapy
  • Carcinosarcoma / mortality
  • Carcinosarcoma / pathology
  • Electronic Health Records
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / mortality
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • New York
  • Palliative Care
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • Bevacizumab