Should Bevacizumab Be Added to Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer Therapy?

Bevacizumab (Avastin) is a humanized monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). It is FDA-approved for treatment of patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma in combination with chemotherapy. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) conducted a phase III trial in which 878 patients (55% men) who had advanced-stage (12% stage IIIB; 88% stage IV) non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with nonsquamous histology were randomized to receive carboplatin plus paclitaxel (CbP) for 6 3-week cycles, with or without intravenous bevacizumab (15 mg/kg, every 3 weeks). Bevacizumab infusions were continued (after completion of the CbP regimen) until disease progressed or unacceptable toxicity developed. The primary endpoint …