Bevacizumab in First-Line Chemotherapy Improves Progression-Free Survival for Advanced Ovarian Clear Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

(1) Background: We investigated survival outcomes following first-line chemotherapy before and after approval of bevacizumab (Bev) for ovarian cancer in Japan to evaluate the efficacy of Bev for advanced clear cell carcinoma (CCC). (2) Methods: We investigated 28 consecutive patients diagnosed with CCC (stages III/IV) at our hospital between 2008 and 2018. Bev was administered for treatment of advanced CCC after approval in Japan in November 2013. Progression-free survival (PFS) was compared between 10 patients treated before Bev approval (2008–2013, Bev- group) and 18 patients treated after Bev approval (2014–2018, Bev+ group) for first-line chemotherapy. (3) Results: No intergroup difference was observed in patient characteristics. The rate of completeness of resection was higher in the Bev − group (9/10, 90%) than in the Bev+ group (15/18, 83%) (p = 0.044). Eleven (61%) patients in the Bev + group received ≥ 21 cycles of Bev. The median PFS increased from 12.0 months before Bev approval to 29.8 months after Bev approval (Wilcoxon test, p = 0.026). Multivariate analysis showed that performance status (p = 0.049), Bev administration (p = 0.023) and completeness of resection (p = 0.023) were independent prognostic factors for PFS. (4) Conclusions: Bev incorporated into first-line chemotherapy might improve PFS in patients with advanced CCC. We hope that our findings will be confirmed in adequate clinical trials.