P15 * COMPARATIVE OUTCOMES OF BEVACIZUMAB AND PCV CHEMOTHERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH RECURRENT AND PROGRESSIVE GLIOBLASTOMA: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Bevacizumab (Bev)is used in patients with recurrent high grade glioma in many countries; however, its efficacy has not been compared with a combination of procarbazine, lomustine and vincristine (PCV), a commonly used chemotherapy regimen in the UK. We present comparative outcomes in patients treated with Bev and PCV. METHOD: During January 2011 and March 2013, 40 patients receiving PCV and 35 patients receiving bev for recurrent and progressive glioblastoma (GBM)and anaplastic glioma (AA) were analysed for progression free survival (PFS,overall survival,and duration of neurological improvement. PFS is calculated from date of first cycle to the last cycles before radiological or neurological deterioration. RESULTS: PCV group had significantly younger patients with a median age 51 years compared to 56 in Bev group. Bev was used as I and II or III salvage line 49 and 51%, respectively. PCV was used I and II or III salvage line in 67 and 23% of patients, respectively. 6-month PFS was 38% (95%, CI 22-55%) with Bev and 22% (95%, CI 10-35%) with PCV (not significant). Similarly, superior but not significant increase in median PFS (4.7 vs. 3.3 months) and median overall survival (8.8 vs.5.4 months) were observed in Bev and PCV group, respectively. The number of patients experiencing neurological improvement was higher (57% vs.10%) and mean number of weeks of neurologically improvement compared to the mean number of weeks chemotherapy exposure were significantly longer in Bev group Bev:12/20weeks, PCV:2/1 weeks. CONCLUSION: Although statistically not significant, patients receiving Bev had better 6-month PFS and over survival . Also patients in Bev group experienced longer duration of neurological improvement.