Treatment Information

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Lung Cancer treatment details. Biologic therapy.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States.

Survival: monthsCountry:United States
Toxiciy Grade:5City/State/Province:Boston, MA
Treatments:Biologic therapyHospital:Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Drugs:Journal:Link
Date:Nov 2013

Description:

Patients:
This phase 3 study involved advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients who were separated into two different treatment groups. Group A consisted of 373 patients with a median age of 64 years and 53% were male. Group B had 370 patients with a median age of 64 years and 52% were male.

Treatment:
Patients in group A were treated with the biologic therapy agent bevacizumab (an angiogenesis inhibitor that interferes with tumor blood supply).

Patients in group B were treated with the biologic therapy agents bevacizumab (an angiogenesis inhibitor that interferes with tumor blood supply) and erlotinib (a protein kinase inhibitor that interferes with cancer cell growth).

Toxicities:
There were 2 treatment-related deaths in group A due to congestive heart failure and pneumonia. Grade 3-4 high blood pressure, blood clots, and hemorrhage were also reported.

There were 4 treatment-related deaths in group B due to heart attack, stroke, and deep vein thrombosis. Grade 3-4 high blood pressure, rash, and diarrhea were also reported.

Results:
The median overall survival times for groups A and B were 13.3 and 14.4 months, respectively.

Support:
This study was supported by Genentech.

Correspondence: Dr. Bruce E. Johnson; email: [email protected]



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