Introduction/Background* recent studies show that addition of anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody bevacizumab to platinum-based chemotherapy (P-CT) in advanced cervical cancer (ACC) treatment improves overall survival with an acceptable safety profile. The objective of this study was to evaluate bevacizumab outcomes in ACC treatment in a comprehensive cancer center (CCC) in Portugal.

Methodology we retrospectively reviewed consecutive medical records of ACC patients (persistent, recurrent or metastatic), ≥18 years-old who were eligible for bevacizumab concomitant with P-CT, between 2015 and 2020. Primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR) and secondary endpoints mortality and safety, assessed according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Event v4.0. Descriptive analysis of main demographic, clinical and treatment variables were performed.

Result(s)* we identified 12 ACC patients with median age of 54 (28 – 72). Metastatic disease was present in half of patients (n=6), persistent disease in 3 (25.0%) and recurrent disease in 3 (25.0%) patients. Eight patients (66.7%) had previously received platinum-based chemoradiotherapy. Median number of cycles P-CT was 6 (5 – 10) and bevacizumab was 13 (1 – 64). The ORR was 66.7%. Three patients (25%) had complete response, 5 (41.7%) partial response, 3 (25%) stable disease and 1 (8.3%) disease progression. The incidence of grade ≥2 hypertension was 25%, grade ≥3 thromboembolic events 8.3% and fistulas (gastrointestinal/genitourinary) 25%. The median follow-up time was 15 months. Patients discontinued bevacizumab due to unacceptable toxicity (n=4, 36.4%) or disease progression (n=5, 45.4%). At the cut-off date, 7 (58.3%) patients deceased and 2 (16.7%) were alive without evidence of cancer.

Conclusion* in our series, bevacizumab had the expected outcomes and safety profile. Nevertheless, multicentric studies are needed to evaluate the true added value of bevacizumab to P-CT in ACC treatment in real-world practice and to identify predictive factors.