Efficacy and safety of stereotactic radiotherapy combined with bevacizumab for brain metastases of lung adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) combined with bevacizumab for brain metastases in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Methods The clinical data of 95 patients with brain metastases of lung adenocarcinoma were retrospectively analyzed, including 36 patients treated with SRT and bevacizumab (bevacizumab group) and 59 patients treated with SRT, corticosteroids, and mannitol (traditional drug group). The tumor response rate, peritumoral edema control rate, improvement in Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score, and adverse reactions were analyzed. Results Compared with the traditional drug group, the bevacizumab group had significantly higher tumor response rate (P=0.033) and peritumoral edema control rate (P=0.000) at 1-4 weeks after treatment, as well as an obvious improvement in KPS score and reduced doses of corticosteroids and mannitol. In addition, the adverse reactions in the bevacizumab group were mild and controllable. Conclusions SRT combined with bevacizumab for brain metastases in patients with lung adenocarcinoma can achieve higher short-term tumor response rate and peritumoral edema control rate and improve patients’ quality of life. Key words: Stereotactic radiotherapy; Bevacizumab; Lung adenocarinoma; Brain metastases