Phase 2 study of bevacizumab plus erlotinib in patients with advanced hepatocellular cancer

Philip A. Philip, Michelle R. Mahoney, Kyle D. Holen, Donald W. Northfelt, Henry C. Pitot, Joel Picus, Patrick J. Flynn, Charles Erlichman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are rational targets for therapy in hepatocellular cancer (HCC). METHODS: Patients with histologically proven HCC and not amenable to curative or liver directed therapy were included in this 2-stage phase 2 trial. Eligibility included an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) of 0 or 1 and Child's Pugh score of A or B, and 1 prior systemic therapy. Patients received erlotinib 150 mg daily and bevacizumab 10 mg/kg on days 1 and 15 every 28 days. Objective tumor response was the primary end point. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients with advanced HCC (median age, 60 years) were enrolled in this multi-institutional study. The proportion of patients with Child's A classification was 74%. One patient had a confirmed partial response and 11 (48%) achieved stable disease. Median time to disease progression was 3.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-7.1). Median survival time was 9.5 months (95% CI, 7.1-17.1). Grade 3 toxicities included rash, hypertension, fatigue, and diarrhea. CONCLUSIONS: In this trial, erlotinib combined with bevacizumab had minimal activity in patients with advanced HCC based on objective response and progression-free survival. The role of targeting EGFR and VEGF in HCC needs further evaluation in molecularly selected patients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2424-2430
Number of pages7
JournalCancer
Volume118
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2012

Keywords

  • bevacizumab
  • epidermal growth factor receptor
  • erlotinib
  • hepatocellular cancer
  • vascular endothelial growth factor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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