Authors' objectives:

This study aims to summarise the currently available evidence on Bevacizumab (Avastin) for non-small cell lung cancer (nsclc).

Authors' recommendations: Bevacizumab (Avastin) is a humanised vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibody that is currently in phase III clinical trials for the first-line treatment of advanced nonsquamous, non-small cell lung cancer (nsclc) in combination with existing chemotherapy agents (carboplatin and paclitaxel). One phase II/III trial in 842 patients has reported interim results based upon 469 of the 650 planned deaths. The addition of bevacizumab resulted in a significantly increased response rate (27% versus 10%), increased progression-free survival to 6.4 months from 4.5 months, and also significantly increased median survival to 12.5 months from 10.2 months. Bevacizumab is launched in the EU as first-line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer in combination with conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy. It is also in phase III clinical trials for first-line treatment of breast cancer with paclitaxel and as second-line therapy in metastatic renal cell cancer with or without interferon alfa.

Authors' methods: Overview

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2005

URL for published report: http://www.hsric.nihr.ac.uk/search

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre

Contact Address: The NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, 90 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SP. United Kingdom. Tel: +44 121 414 7831, Fax: +44 121 2269

Contact Name: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre (NIHR HSC)