Abstract
4625 Background: Patients (Pts) with unresectable or metastatic biliary tract cancer (BTC) and gallbladder cancer (GBC) have a poor prognosis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression has been detected in BTC and GBC. Increased angiogenesis has been correlated with advanced stage of disease and poor prognosis. Given reported activity of gemcitabine (GEM) and oxaliplatin (OX) in BTC/GBC and potential benefits of targeting the VEGF pathway with bevacizumab (B), we performed a study to examine the efficacy and tolerability of GEM, OX and B (GEMOX-B) in unresectable or metastatic BTC/GBC. Methods: Eligibility criteria included unresectable or metastatic measurable BTC/GBC, 0–1 prior chemotherapy regimens, performance status = 2, and adequate organ function. No clinically significant cardiovascular disease or history of active bleeding. Pts were treated with all 3 drugs intravenously on days 1 and 15 every 28 days (one cycle): B was given first at 10 mg/kg, followed by GEM at 1000 mg/m2 as dose rate infusion at 10 mg/m2/minute, and OX at 85 mg/m2. Whole body FDG-PET scan was obtained at baseline and after cycle 2. The primary endpoint of the study was progression-free survival (PFS). Results: 19 pts (10 BTC and 9 GBC) have been enrolled since May 17, 2006: median age = 69 (25–82), M/F = 13/6, ECOG 0/1/2 = 7/10/2. Treatment has been well tolerated with no grade 4–5 toxicities seen. Treatment related grade 3 toxicities included (number of pts): hypertension (2), neutropenia (1), transient SGPT elevation (1), proteinuria (1), neuropathy (1), and fatigue (1). Of 11 pts followed for at least 4 months, 3 had confirmed partial responses (PR), 5 had stable disease (SD) of at least 4 cycles, and 3 had progressive disease (PD) per RECIST criteria. Five pts had more than 50% decrease in CA19–9 levels. Of 16 PET studies analyzed, changes in SUV values from baseline to after 2 cycles of treatment were: 11 PRs, 4 SDs, 1 PD per EORTC criteria. Conclusions: GEMOX-B can be safely administered with tolerable safety profiles in patients with advanced BTC/GBC. Early evidence of antitumor activity was seen. A decreased SUV in FDG-PET following GEMOX-B treatment was observed in the majority of patients. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
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