| Survival: | 5.8 months |
| Toxicity Grade: | 4 |
| Treatments: | Biologic therapy |
| Country: | United States |
| City/State/Province: | Boston, MA |
| Hospital: | Dana-Farber Cancer Institute |
| Journal: | Link |
| Date: | 6/2008 |
| Description: |
| Patients: This phase 2 study involved 24 patients with malignant plural mesothelioma. There were 15 men and 9 women, ranging in age from 38 to 76 years of age. The median age was 62.5 years old. These patients had been treated with chemotherapy before. Treatment: Patients were treated with bevacizumab and erlotinib. These are biological therapies. Toxicity: Grade 4 pulmonary embolism was reported in one patient, and grade 3 deep vein thrombosis in another. The most common toxicities were rash and diarrhea. Grade 3 rash was reported in 17% of patients, and grade 3 diarrhea in 8% of patients. Grade 1 and 2 toxicities (milder) were more common, and included rash, diarrhea, anorexia, fatigue, dry skin, nausea, mouth sores, and dizziness. Results: The median overall survival was 5.8 months. The authors concluded that these therapies were not really effective in treating mesothelioma. Support: This study was supported in part by Genentech, Inc., which markets erlotinib as Tarceva and bevacizumab as Avastin.Correspondence: Dr. Pasi A. Janne |