Exploratory analyses of efficacy and safety of pemetrexed (Pem) plus bevacizumab (Bev) and bev alone as maintenance therapy (MT) in patients (Pts) with stage IIIb or IV nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NS-NSCLC).
8012 Background: In a phase III superiority study, Pem+carboplatin (Cb)+Bev followed by Pem+Bev improved PFS compared with paclitaxel (Pac)+Cb+Bev followed by Bev in NS-NSCLC pts. Superior OS (primary endpoint) was not met. These analyses assessed the efficacy and safety in pts who received MT. Methods: Prespecified exploratory analyses were performed in the maintenance population (MP) and timed from the start of induction. Pts ≥18 years with stage IIIB/IV NS-NSCLC (ECOG status 0–1) from the multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase III superiority study were included in the MP if they received at least one dose of MT. For MT, pts received intravenous Pem 500 mg/m2+Bev 15 mg/kg (n=292) or Bev 15 mg/kg (n=298). OS, PFS, and safety were evaluated. Comparison is made to the intent-to-treat (ITT; Pem=472, Pac=467) or safety population (SP; Pem=442, Pac=443; received at least one dose of one drug). Results: Baseline pt and disease characteristics for the ITT and MP were similar between arms. In the ITT/MP population, the median number of cycles was 7/10 (range, 1-41/4–41) in the Pem arm and 6/9 (range, 1-39/5–39) in the Pac arm. In the ITT/MP, OS was 12.6/17.7 months (mos; Pem) and 13.4/15.7 mos (Pac). Survival rates (%) at 12 and 24 mos with Pem (ITT/MP) were 52.7/71.7 and 24.4/34.5; Pac, 54.1/66.5 and 21.2/26.5%. In pts not receiving MT, OS was 4.7 mos (Pem) and 6.1 mos (Pac). PFS (mos) in the ITT/MT was 6.0/8.6 (Pem) and 5.6/6.9 (Pac). In pts not receiving MT, PFS was 2.3 mos and 2.5 mos with Pem and Pac, respectively. From induction, both SP/MP had significantly more grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia, anemia, and fatigue with Pem and neutropenia and sensory neuropathy with Pac (p≤0.001). During MT only, the difference in grade 3/4 neutropenia rates between arms was no longer significant. Conclusions: Improved efficacy outcomes were consistent with previous Pem maintenance and Bev studies and no new toxicities were observed. Clinical trial information: NCT00762034.