An Investigation of the Off-Label Use of Bevacizumab

This study aims to investigate the off-label use of bevacizumab and provide references for its clinical use. A total of 375 patients who were prescribed bevacizumab were retrospectively analysed according to the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. Among the 375 patients, 130 (34.67%) received bevacizumab for treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) according to the guidelines approved by the SFDA. On the other hand, bevacizumab was prescribed to 245 (65.33%) patients for lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, lymphoma, soft-tissue sarcoma, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, melanoma, gastric carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, and other unknown primary malignant tumour. Bevacizumab was recommended for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and soft tissue sarcoma according to the FDA and NCCN guidelines. Other off-label uses of bevacizumab are still being evaluated in ongoing phase II or III clinical trials. There is a need to establish specific laws, guidelines, and professional consensus for the off-label use of bevacizumab.