Bevacizumab Preconditioning Followed by Etoposide and Cisplatin Is Highly Effective in Treating Brain Metastases of Breast Cancer Progressing from Whole-Brain Radiotherapy

Y.-S. Lu, T. W.-W. Chen, C.-H. Lin, D.-C. Yeh, L.-M. Tseng, P.-F. Wu, K.-M. Rau, B.-B. Chen, T.-C. Chao, S.-M. Huang, C.-S. Huang, T. T.-F. Shih (+1 others)
2015 Clinical Cancer Research  
Purpose: We hypothesized that a window period between bevacizumab and cytotoxic agents may enhance drug delivery into tumor tissue through bevacizumab-induced vascular normalization in patients with brain metastases of breast cancer (BMBC). Experimental Design: A single-arm phase II study was conducted in which BMBC patients refractory to whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) were enrolled. In a 21-day cycle, patients received bevacizumab (15 mg/kg) on day 1, which, with a 1-day window period, was
more » ... lowed by etoposide (70 mg/m 2 /day; days 2-4) and cisplatin (70 mg/m 2 ; day 2; BEEP regimen). The BEEP regimen was administered for a maximum of 6 cycles. The primary endpoint was the central nervous system (CNS)-objective response rate according to volumetric response criteria. Results: A total of 35 patients were enrolled between January 2011 and January 2013. The median age was 54.3 years (range, 33-75); 19 patients (54.3%) had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2 or 3. Twenty-seven patients [77.1%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 59.9-89.6] achieved a CNS-objective response, including 13 patients (37.1%) with a !80% volumetric reduction of CNS lesions. With a median follow-up of 16.1 months, the median CNS progression-free survival and overall survival times were 7.3 months (95% CI, 6.5-8.1) and 10.5 months (95% CI, 7.8-13.2), respectively. Common grade 3 or 4 toxicities included neutropenia (30.8%) and infection (21.3%). Conclusions: By administering bevacizumab 1 day before etoposide and cisplatin, the BEEP regimen appeared highly effective in BMBC refractory to WBRT. Further study of vascular normalization window concept is warranted.
doi:10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-14-2075 pmid:25700303 fatcat:vbfdxwujyzf7bbyusargx66joi