In a nutshell
This study investigated the effectiveness and safety of bevacizumab (Avastin) combined with chemotherapy in elderly patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Researchers suggested that this therapy might be associated with improved outcomes in fit older patients.
Some background
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide. It is present in 4.5% of the American population. 90% of cases are diagnosed in patients with 50 years of age or older. Even though it is more common in older people, these patients receive less optimal treatments when compared to young patients. They are also often excluded from clinical trials. This is mainly due to additional medical conditions present in older patients.
Chemotherapy consists of a combination of anti-cancer drugs that target and kill cancer cells. However, in advanced cases, it might have limited effectiveness. Therefore, the addition of bevacizumab improves treatment outcomes. Bevacizumab is a type of targeted therapy. It targets certain proteins on cancer cells stopping the tumor from growing.
Prior studies showed that bevacizumab plus chemotherapy was associated with improved outcomes in old and young patients. However, this combined therapy has not been fully studied in elderly patients.
Methods & findings
This study included information on 402 patients older than 75 years of age with advanced colorectal cancer. Participants were followed-up for 24 months after starting treatment with bevacizumab and first-line chemotherapy. Progression-free survival (PFS; time from treatment to progression) and overall survival (OS; time from treatment to death by any cause) were measured.
The average PFS was 9.1 months. It was higher for patients under 85 years of age (9.3-9.5 months) compared to those older than 85 (8.3 months). The average OS was 19 months. It was lower in patients aged 80-85 years (17.8 months) and those older than 85 years (13 months) compared to those younger than 80 years (20.6 months).
61% of patients reported at least one side effect. 26% of patients had severe side effects. 7% were related to treatment with bevacizumab.
The bottom line
This study suggested that chemotherapy plus bevacizumab improves treatment outcomes in certain elderly patients with advanced colorectal cancer.
The fine print
This study was funded by Roche, the bevacizumab manufacturer.
Published By :
Clinical Colorectal Cancer
Date :
Apr 13, 2020
