Feasibility and tolerability of bevacizumab: a retrospective study in Japanese ovarian cancer patients

Purpose of investigation: To determine the probability of adverse events following bevacizumab (BV) treatment for advanced/recurrent ovarian, fallopian, and peritoneal cancers in Japanese patients. Materials and Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed medical records of 35 patients. Results: One patient (2.9%) showed a grade 4 gastrointestinal perforation. Grade 1 or 3 gastrointestinal fistula was present in one patient each, whereas one patient had grade 5 tumor hemorrhage. In univariate logistic regression analysis for any grade of gastrointestinal perforation and fistula, the number of prior regimens and period from diagnosis to BV initiation were significant in univariate (p = 0.02 and p = 0.02, respectively) and multivariate (p = 0.02 and p = 0.02, respectively) logistic regression analyses. Conclusions: BV might be tolerable for Japanese patients. In patients where BV is initiated after long periods post-diagnosis or who undergo prior chemotherapy regimens, BV should be used carefully and there should be diligent monitoring for perforations.