Bevacizumab plus weekly paclitaxel with or without carboplatin for previously-treated non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer.

AIM

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate bevacizumab combined with weekly paclitaxel with and without carboplatin in pre-treated patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between November 2009 and October 2011, 43 pre-treated patients with non-squamous NSCLC received bevacizumab (15 mg/kg, day 1) plus weekly paclitaxel (60-80 mg/m(2), days 1, 8, 15) with carboplatin (area under the curve=4-5, day 1) (n=36), or bevacizumab plus weekly paclitaxel (n=7) alone every four weeks.

RESULTS

The response rate and disease control rates were 48.8% (21/43) and 86.0% (37/43), respectively. Median progression-free survival was 5.7 months, and overall survival was 14.5 months. Grade 3/4 neutropenia was observed in 37.2% of patients and peripheral neurotoxicity in 0%. No bevacizumab-related death was observed.

CONCLUSION

Even for heavily pre-treated patients, bevacizumab plus weekly paclitaxel with or without carboplatin was effective and tolerable in non-squamous NSCLC.