First-line bevacizumab-paclitaxel in 220 patients with metastatic breast cancer: results from the AVAREG study.

BACKGROUND

First-line bevacizumab-paclitaxel therapy demonstrated a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 11 months in three randomized phase III trials on metastatic breast cancer (mBC) (E2100, TURANDOT and CALGB 40502). We assessed the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab-paclitaxel in a routine oncology practice study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with previously untreated mBC received bevacizumab-paclitaxel according to the approved indication in Hungary. The primary end-point was PFS. Secondary end-points included time-to-treatment discontinuation, 1-year survival rate, PFS in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and safety.

RESULTS

Median PFS in the 220 treated patients was 9.3 (95%CI 7.8-10.8) months. The 1-year survival rate was 68%. In patients with TNBC (N=106), median PFS was 8.3 months (95%CI 7.8-8.8). Adverse events were consistent with the established safety profile of bevacizumab-paclitaxel.

CONCLUSION

Bevacizumab-paclitaxel is an active and well-tolerated first-line treatment for mBC, with notable activity in TNBC.