Bevacizumab in Epithelial Ovarian, Fallopian Tube and Primary Peritoneal Cancer: A Single Centre Experience

Abstract

Objectives: To review the use of bevacizumab in epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancers at the Division of Gynaecological Oncology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong. Methods: Patients who received bevacizumab with chemotherapy between January 2011 and December 2015 were included. A retrospective chart review was performed. Main outcome measures were adverse events and progression-free survival. Results: 41 patients received bevacizumab: 24 for primary treatment and 17 for recurrent disease. Of 24 patients who received bevacizumab as primary treatment, the median age was 52 years, 13% had early-stage high-risk disease, 88% had FIGO stage III/IV disease, 46% had high-grade serous adenocarcinoma and 54% had residual disease after debulking surgery. Of 17 patients who received bevacizumab for recurrent disease, the median age was 52 years, 94% were having their first recurrence, 65% had platinum-sensitive disease and 41% had high-grade serous adenocarcinoma. Median follow-up was 28 months (range 4-76 months), at which point 26 patients had died. Grade 3 or higher hypertension and proteinuria occurred in 22% and 7% of patients, respectively. Bevacizumab was discontinued due to proteinuria in 10% of patients, while none discontinued bevacizumab because of hypertension. The median progression free survival was 18.1 months (95% CI 14.3-21.9) for primary treatment and 10.9 months (95% CI 8.1-13.7) for recurrent disease. Conclusions: The most common adverse events were hypertension and proteinuria, but these rarely led to discontinuation of bevacizumab. The progression free survival was comparable to those reported in large randomised trials.