Efficacy and Safety of Combined Carboplatin, Paclitaxel, and Bevacizumab for Patients with Advanced Non-squamous Non-small Cell Lung Cancer with Pre-existing Interstitial Lung Disease: A Retrospective Multi-institutional Study

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the efficacy and safety of carboplatin, paclitaxel, and bevacizumab (CPB) combination chemotherapy in patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with pre-existing interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Patients and methods: Twenty-five patients with non-squamous NSCLC with ILD who underwent CPB therapy between March 2007 and July 2013 were analyzed for treatment profiles.

Results: The median age was 67 (range=53-79) years and 96% were men. The triplet chemotherapy was repeated for a median of four cycles. The objective response rate was 72% (18/25), the median progression-free survival time was 7.2 months, and the median overall survival time was 8.5 months. The most frequent adverse event of grade 3 or more was neutropenia (72%, 18/25). Chemotherapy-induced acute exacerbation of ILD occurred in 12% of patients.

Conclusion: CPB therapy may be an effective and feasible regimen even for patients with ILD, although clinicians should be concerned regarding neutropenia and acute exacerbation of ILD.

Keywords: Bevacizumab; acute exacerbation; interstitial lung disease; non-small cell lung cancer.