Risk of hemoptysis in patients with resected squamous cell and other high-risk lung cancers treated with adjuvant bevacizumab. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • PURPOSE: Bevacizumab improves survival in lung adenocarcinomas. The potential anti-tumor benefit of bevacizumab in squamous cell lung cancers (SQCLCs) is unknown because bevacizumab is contraindicated in patients with advanced SQCLC due to an increased risk of hemoptysis. The risk of hemoptysis may be eliminated in patients with resected SQCLCs. We evaluated the safety of adjuvant bevacizumab in patients with resected SQCLCs and other lung cancers at high risk of hemoptysis. METHODS: As part of a prospective, phase II trial, patients with lung cancers at high risk of hemoptysis (defined by SQCLC histology, tumor near the central blood vessels, or history of hemoptysis) were treated with adjuvant bevacizumab following neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and complete surgical resection. Bevacizumab 15 mg/kg was given once every 3 weeks for up to 1 year. Patients were followed for safety and survival. RESULTS: Thirteen patients with high-risk features were treated: 7 patients had SQCLC, 3 had central tumors, and 3 had previous hemoptysis. No hemoptysis of any grade was seen following treatment with bevacizumab. Five of 13 patients experienced grade 1 bleeding (epistaxis, gum bleeding). Hypertension and lymphopenia were seen. CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of patients with resected lung cancers at high risk of hemoptysis, including those with SQCLC, treatment with adjuvant bevacizumab did not result in hemoptysis of any grade.

publication date

  • June 28, 2013

Research

keywords

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
  • Hemoptysis
  • Lung Neoplasms

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC4653739

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 84880919781

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1007/s00280-013-2219-5

PubMed ID

  • 23811982

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 72

issue

  • 2