Bevacizumab (BV) plus irinotecan (I) in recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM): A single center experience.
e13000 Background: Glioblastoma multiforme constitutes the most common and malignant form of primary brain tumor. Median survival for recurrent disease is 3-9 months. Combining bevacizumab with irinotecan represents an option of treatment in recurrent GBM. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients with recurrent GBM treated with bevacizumab (10 mg/kg) and irinotecan (340 mg/m2 for patients receiving enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs –EIAEDs- and 125 mg/m2 for patients not receiving EIAEDs) every 14 days on a 4-week cycle. Inclusion criteria: age ≥ 18, histology of GBM, progression after radiotherapy and temozolomide and signed informed consent for bevacizumab compassionate use. MRI-FLAIR sequence was used every 8 weeks to assess response. Results: From October 2009 to December 2012, a total of 26 patients were included; 15 (57.7%) male/11 (42.3%) female. Median age of the patients was 52 years (32-69); ECOG 0/1/2/3: 7.7/46.2/38.5/7.7% respectively; 19.23 % of patients received EIAEDs. Median number of cycles was 2.5 (1-14). Response rate was 30.8% (23.1% PR; 7.7 % CR); SD 23.1 %. Median PFS was 23 weeks; median OS was 30 weeks. Most common grade 3 toxicities were: asthenia 26.9%, arthromyalgia 3.8%, diarrhea 3.8% and hepatotoxicity 15.4%; grade 2 thromboembolic complications: 3.8 %. Conclusions: Combination of bevacizumab and irinotecan is effective against recurrent GBM and prolongs PFS and OS compared with historical controls, with mild toxicity.