Impact of Bevacizumab Versus Erlotinib on Tumor Metrics in Patients With Previously Untreated Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Study by the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group

Abstract

Background: The mechanism of action of bevacizumab and erlotinib is quite different in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study sought to compare the two targeted therapies in terms of sequential tumor response metrics.

Patients and methods: Parameters of radiological tumor response evaluation were assessed at baseline and periodically in 58 patients receiving either bevacizumab plus platinum-based chemotherapy (N=25) or erlotinib (N=33).

Results: Bevacizumab-treated patients had lower longest diameter at best response compared to the erlotinib group (p=0.011). The longest diameter, tumor volume and density significantly decreased from baseline to best response for the entire cohort and bevacizumab-treated patients; no difference was found in the erlotinib group.

Conclusion: Treatment with bevacizumab substantially improved tumor metrics between baseline and each cycle of treatment, as well as between baseline and best response, in patients with advanced NSCLC.

Keywords: Bevacizumab; Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group; erlotinib; non-small cell lung cancer; tumor metrics.