Safety and Efficacy of Modified FOLFOX6 plus High-Dose Bevacizumab in Second-Line or Later Treatment of Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Aim: The aim of this retrospective study was to show the efficacy and safety of modified FOLFOX6 plus high-dose bevacizumab (10 mg/kg/2 weeks) in the second-line or later treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Methods: A total of 24 consecutive patients treated between August 2007 and August 2009 were included in this retrospective study. None of the patients had received bevacizumab as part of prior treatment. Results: All 24 patients received modified FOLFOX6 plus high-dose bevacizumab and were followed for a median of 36.9 months. Overall response rate was 29%. Median progression-free survival was 7.5 months, and median overall survival was 17.3 months. Grade 3/4 adverse events were: neutropenia (54.2%), leukopenia (25.0%), neuropathy (12.5%), hypertension (12.5%), thrombocytopenia (8.3%), and decreased haemoglobin, gastrointestinal haemorrhage, wound complications, nausea, diarrhoea, mucositis and fatigue (each 4.2%). Conclusion: Modified FOLFOX6 plus high-dose bevacizumab may be useful in the second-line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who have not received bevacizumab. copyright (C) 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel