Neoadjuvant Bevacizumab and Carboplatin Followed by Concurrent Bevacizumab, Carboplatin and Radiotherapy in the Primary Treatment of Cervix Cancer

• Status: Withdrawn
• Trial end date: 2011-04-01

Summary

This trial is designed to study the safety and efficacy of the combination of carboplatin, bevacizumab, and pelvic radiation therapy.

Rationale for substituting cisplatin with carboplatin:

Five landmark trials in cervical cancer prompted the National Cancer Institute in February of 1999 to issue a clinical announcement stating that "strong consideration should be given to adding concurrent chemotherapy in the treatment of invasive cervical cancer". The chemotherapeutic agent which was a common denominator to all 5 trials was cisplatin, and ever since it has become part of the standard of care for the treatment of stage IIB, III, and IVA cervical cancers. In addition, chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin is also considered one of the standard treatment options for IB2 and IIA tumors greater than 4 cm in diameter.

The most recent Gynecologic Oncology Group protocols for cervical cancer have used cisplatin and radiation therapy as in two of the five landmark trials. However, the benefit in survival given by cisplatin has not been without toxicity. In summary, in the trial by Keys 35% of patients receiving cisplatin and radiotherapy experienced moderate or severe toxicities. In the one by Rose, only 49 % completed the intended 6 cycles of chemotherapy.

Based on the toxicity profile of cisplatin, Higgins performed a phase II study of concurrent carboplatin with pelvic radiation therapy in the primary treatment of cervix cancer. He demonstrated the ability to administer carboplatin with concurrent radiation therapy with significantly less toxicity and with 94 % of the planned treatments delivered.

A comprehensive analysis of the literature from 1998 which compared the efficacy of carboplatin versus cisplatin in solid tumors concluded that for ovarian cancer and lung cancer the effectiveness of carboplatin was comparable to cisplatin, while for germ cell tumors, bladder cancer, and head and neck cancer cisplatin appeared superior. There was no mention of cervical cancer in this review, since at present there is no phase III trial comparing carboplatin versus cisplatin in cervix cancer.

Rationale for bevacizumab:

Bevacizumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal IgG1 antibody that binds to and inhibits the biologic activity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) which stimulates tumor and tumor blood vessel growth. Targeting VEGF with bevacizumab could potentially be of benefit in cervical cancer patients by starving the tumor's blood supply and potentially enhancing the effect of radiotherapy and carboplatin chemotherapy.

• Phase: Phase 2

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Leo W. Jenkins Cancer Center
• Collaborator: Genentech, Inc.
• Treatments: Bevacizumab; Carboplatin