Avastin and Chemo for Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer Increases Progression Free Survival

(March 20, 2014) A group of French researchers conducted a randomized, phase III trial (called AURELIA) combining bevacizumab (Avastin) with chemotherapy in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.  The results of the trial, which enrolled 361 patients, were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary end points included objective response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), safety, and patient-reported outcomes.

For those that were randomized into combination therapy (chemotherapy plus bevacizumab), progression free survival increased from 3.4 months with chemotherapy along versus 6.7 months with bevacizumab-containing therapy.   ORR was 11.8% versus 27.3%, respectively.

Adding bevacizumab to chemotherapy statistically significantly improved PFS and ORR; the OS trend was not significant.

Click here for the abstract;  click here to hear a podcast explaining these findings.