Outcomes of bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy in lung adenocarcinoma-induced malignant pleural effusion

Abstract

Background: VEGF is critical in the pathogenesis of malignant pleural effusion (MPE). To understand the clinical benefits of antiangiogenic agents, the efficacy of chemotherapy containing bevacizmab was investigated in patients with lung adenocarcinoma-induced MPE. Methods: The data of lung adenocarcinoma patients with MPE treated with bevacizumab plus chemotherapy on day 1, every three weeks, for ≤ 6 cycles was retrospectively collected. Patients who achieved a response or stable disease were administered bevacizumab as maintenance therapy until progression. The primary outcomes of the study were MPE response rate (RR), MPE control rate, and pleural progression-free survival (PPFS), while the secondary outcomes were PFS, overall survival (OS), changes to the lung volume and thoracic cage, and safety profiles. Results: A total of 21 cases were collected, and all were evaluable for response, including 15 chemotherapy-naïve patients and 6 who experienced relapse. The median cycle of treatments was 7 (1-42) and 5 (2-6) for bevacizumab and chemotherapy, respectively. The MPE RR reached 81.0%. The MPE control rate at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 96 weeks were 95.2%, 90.0%, 89.5%, 73.7%, and 43.8%, respectively. Median PPFS was significantly longer than PFS (22.2 vs. 7.8 months; P = 0.044), and median OS was 25.8 months. Nineteen (90.5%) patients experienced lung re-expansion after treatment. Only one (4.8%) patient suffered thoracic volume decrease during treatment and the follow-up period. No unexpected adverse events were observed. Conclusions: Bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy demonstrated efficacious, persistence, and safety in controlling lung cancer-induced MPE, indicating a potential superior therapeutic option.