Bevacizumab in Metastatic, Recurrent, or Persistent Cervical Cancer: The BC Cancer Experience

We conducted a population-based analysis of patient outcomes following treatment with bevacizumab and platinum-based chemotherapy for metastatic, recurrent, or persistent cervical carcinoma.

Eligible cases were identified using the BC Cancer provincial pharmacy database. Cases with small cell component or inadequate clinical follow-up were excluded. Overall response to therapy, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicities were documented.

Twenty-seven eligible cases were included with a median follow-up of 12.1 months. The median age at recurrence/metastatic diagnosis was 49 years (range, 27-83 years). Twenty-three of 27 women received carboplatin, paclitaxel, and bevacizumab as first-line treatment, and 4 of 27 as second-line treatment. The median number of cycles of bevacizumab delivered was 5.5 (range, 1-21). The overall response rate was 44% (12/27), with 11% (3/27) complete response and 33% (9/27) partial response. Median PFS and OS for the entire cohort were 5.3 and 12.1 months, respectively. In first-line therapy, the median PFS and OS were 6.3 and 17.5 months, respectively. Common toxicities included anemia (grade 1/2) 73% (19/27), and the following grade 2 or greater: neutropenia 38% (n = 10) with 1 occurrence of febrile neutropenia, hypertension 30% (n = 8), and thrombosis 22% (n = 6). The fistula rate was 3.7% (n = 1).

In this population-based analysis, the combination of bevacizumab and platinum-based chemotherapy as first-line therapy for metastatic, recurrent, or persistent cervical carcinoma was safely delivered and had outcomes comparable to results from the GOG 240 phase III trial.