Survival in recurrent ovarian cancer patients before and after the bevacizumab era: an observational single-centre study

Abstract

A retrospective observational study was carried out in Baskent University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. Recurrent ovarian cancer patients treated between 2007 and 2017 were divided into two groups according to their bevacizumab status. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and safety. Three hundred and ninety-six patients enrolled in this study, 200 (50.5%) received bevacizumab while 196 (49.5%) patients never received bevacizumab. The median follow-up time was 48.2 and 47.6 months, respectively. The 5-year OS was 61% and 46%, respectively (p=.007). In multivariate analysis, only platinum-sensitivity (HR: 3.75, 95% CI: 3.0–5.32; p<.001) was identified as independent prognostic factors. In subgroup analyses according to platinum status, bevacizumab did not affect the 5 year OS in platinum sensitive patients (64% versus 68% p=.28) but increased survival in platinum resistant patients (36% versus 44%, p=.00). The rate of grade III–IV haematologic toxicities was 13.7% in the bevacizumab group and 11% in the other group (p=.6). Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? Bevacizumab increases the progression-free survival in platinum-sensitive and resistant recurrent ovarian cancer patients without changing overall survival. What do the results of this study add? Bevacizumab did not affect OS in platinum sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer patients however improved OS in platinum resistant patients with mild toxicity. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research ? This study emphasised the crucial role of bevacizumab in the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer patients.