Researchers affiliated with an international trial (BO 17704) have reported that the addition of Avastin® (bevacizumab) to the chemotherapy combination including Gemzar® (gemcitabine) plus Platinol® (cisplatin) improves progression-free survival among patients with non-squamous, non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study were presented as a late-breaking abstract at the 2007 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in June.

Previously researchers affiliated with the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) (ECOG 4599) reported that the addition of Avastin to Taxol® (paclitaxel) and Paraplatin® (carboplatin) improved survival in patients with advanced, non-squamous, NSCLC (see first item of related news). This study was the basis for the current trial carried out predominantly in Europe. This clinical trial, referred to as the AVAiL trial, evaluated the addition of 7.5 mg/kg or 15 mg/kg of Avastin to a Gemzar plus Platinol regimen for the treatment of advanced non-squamous NSCLC. Over 1,000 patients were entered on this trial. Patients treated with Avastin had a 22% improvement in progression-free survival compared with those treated with chemotherapy alone. There were no unexpected side effects reported with the use of Avastin. There did not appear to be any significant differences in effectiveness or toxicities between the two doses of Avastin. Overall survival data will be presented at a future meeting.

The researchers concluded that the addition of Avastin to the chemotherapy combination Gemzar plus Platinol improves progression-free survival among patients with advanced NSCLC.

Comments: A final analysis of these data will be needed to determine the true benefit of adding Avastin to Gemzar and Platinol for the treatment of non-squamous NSCLC.

Reference: Manegold C, von Pawel J, Zatioukai P, et al. Randomized, double-blind multicentre phase III study of bevacizumab in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine in chemotherapy-naïve patients with advanced or recurrent non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): BO17704. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2007 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings Part I. Vol 25, No. 18S (June 20 Supplement), 2007: LBA7514.

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