Shorter bevacizumab infusions do not increase the incidence of proteinuria and hypertension

Abstract

Background: A previous study has shown that shorter bevacizumab infusions (0.5 mg/kg/min) can be safely administered without increasing the risk of infusion-related hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs). However, the risk of proteinuria and hypertension in patients receiving shorter infusions of bevacizumab is undetermined. Patients and methods: This was a multicenter, prospective, observational study in patients receiving <10 mg/kg of bevacizumab infused over 0.5 mg/kg/min. Patients were observed until discontinuation of bevacizumab for progression of cancer or toxicity. The incidence of hypertension and proteinuria was compared with a prior cohort of patients who had received standard duration infusions of bevacizumab. Results: Sixty-three patients received a total of 392 doses of shorter bevacizumab infusions. Nineteen (30.2) patients experienced proteinuria while receiving bevacizumab. Out of 19 patients, 13 had grade 1 and 6 had grade 2 proteinuria. None of the patients experienced grade 3 or 4 proteinuria. Hypertension was reported in 32 (50.8) patients receiving bevacizumab. Twelve (19) patients developed grade 3 or greater hypertension on bevacizumab. The incidence of proteinuria and hypertension was 38.3 and 56.6, respectively, in patients (N 120, 1347 infusions) receiving standard duration infusions of bevacizumab. Conclusions: Shorter bevacizumab infusions (0.5 mg/kg/min) do not increase the risk of proteinuria and hypertension. © The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society for Medical Oncology. All rights reserved.