Carboplatin plus Weekly Paclitaxel with Bevacizumab for First-line Treatment of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

AIM: The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of weekly paclitaxel (PTX) combined with carboplatin (CBDCA) plus bevacizumab (BEV), followed by maintenance BEV in patients with advanced NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with unresectable stage IIIB and IV NSCLC (n=43) were treated with CBDCA (AUC 6, day 1), BEV (15 mg/kg, day 1), and PTX (70 mg/m(2), days 1, 8, 15) intravenously every 4 weeks, for 3 to 6 cycles, followed by maintenance BEV (15 mg/kg) every 3 weeks. RESULTS: The objective response rate and disease control rate were 67.4% and 90.7%, respectively. The median progression-free survival was 7.6 months. The median overall survival was 17.7 months. Common adverse events were tolerable bone marrow suppression, fatigue, hypertension, and nasal bleeding. CONCLUSION: Weekly administration of PTX combined with CBDCA plus BEV therapy was effective, and well-tolerated by advanced NSCLC patients.