Discontinuation of first-line bevacizumab in metastatic colorectal cancer: the BEAWARE Italian Observational Study

Sara Lonardi, Guglielmo Nasti, Daniele Fagnani, Donatello Gemma, Libero Ciuffreda, Cristina Granetto, Sara Lucchesi, Alberto Ballestrero, Maria Biglietto, Ilaria Proserpio, Francesca Bergamo, Emanuela Proietti, Giuseppe Tonini

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

AIMS: BEAWARE investigated the pattern of first-line bevacizumab early interruption in the Italian real-world setting of metastatic colorectal cancer. METHODS: A total of 386 patients were followed for 15 months after first-line chemotherapy + bevacizumab start. The rate of bevacizumab interruption for progression or adverse drug reactions (ADRs) constituted the primary endpoint. RESULTS: A total of 78.2% of patients interrupted bevacizumab: 56.6% for progression, 7.3% for ADRs, and 36.1% for other reasons. Median treatment duration was 6.7, 2.5, and 4.6 months, respectively. Median progression-free survival was 10.3 months; however, 35.8% of patients were not progressed and were thus censored at the data cutoff of 15 months, while 21.8% were still receiving bevacizumab. Patients discontinuing for progression/ADRs more frequently had metastases in >1 site (p = .0001), and a shorter median progression-free survival (6.9 vs 13.9 months, p <.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In Italy, first-line bevacizumab is interrupted mainly for progression, only 7.3% due to adverse events, and about one third of cases for other reasons. In clinical practice, the attitude to treat until progression as per guidelines might be implemented. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01609075.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)243-252
Number of pages10
JournalTumori
Volume105
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 1 2019

Keywords

  • bevacizumab
  • clinical practice
  • Metastatic colorectal cancer
  • progression-free survival
  • therapy interruption

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