Efficacy and safety of bevacizumab in combination with irinotecan and infusional 5-FU as first-line treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Abstract

3544 Background: Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody that, by inhibiting VEGF, inhibits tumour angiogenesis. It has been proven to improve overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) when administered first-line in combination with the bolus 5-FU-based IFL regimen to patients with metastatic colorectal cancer [Hurwitz et al. NEJM 2004;350:2335–42]. We have conducted a multicentre, open-label trial to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of first-line bevacizumab in combination with regimens combining irinotecan with infusional 5-FU (FOLFIRI). Methods: Eligible patients had: metastatic colorectal cancer; no surgery within 28 days; no prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease; ECOG PS 0/1; adequate organ function; no CNS metastases. Chemotherapy consisted of 6 cycles of irinotecan plus infusional 5-FU and leucovorin, according to the classical FOLFIRI regimen; however, such variations as the simplified FOLFIRI or the weekly regimen were allowed. Bevacizumab 5mg/kg was given on day 1 of chemotherapy, every 2 weeks until disease progression. Safety assessments were made at the time of chemotherapy administration during the first 12 weeks and every 4 weeks thereafter. Tumour assessments were performed every 3 months for the first year and 4-monthly thereafter. The primary objective was PFS; secondary objectives were to evaluate the safety profile of this combination as well as to determine the overall response rate, time to response, duration of response and OS. Results: A total of 209 patients were enrolled at 31 centres in Australia, Canada, Italy, Spain and China between April 2005 and November 2005. 60% of patients were male and median age was 61.9 (range 31–82) years. All patients will be eligible for interim analysis, that will be performed after the last patient enrolled has been followed for a minimum of 12 weeks (6 cycles of chemotherapy), in February 2006. Data on safety and efficacy from this analysis will be presented. Conclusions: This is the largest clinical trial that will report efficacy and safety data for bevacizumab in combination with an irinotecan and infusional 5-FU regimen. [Table: see text]