Combination use of paclitaxel and avastin enhances treatment effect for the NSCLC patients with malignant pleural effusion

摘要

The current study is conducted to investigate efficacy of the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel in combination with Avastin (Roche Diagnostics GmbH., Mannheim, Germany) (antiangiogenic agent) in treatment of malignant pleural effusions (MPEs). Twenty-four patients with non–small cell lung cancer were randomly assigned for 2 treatment approaches. Ten patients received paclitaxel (175?mg/m2) alone, and 14 patients took a combination therapy of paclitaxel and Avastin (5?mg/kg). Efficacy of the treatment approaches in the patients was validated with the change in the MPE volume. Pharmacokinetic (PK) profile and urinary excretion rate of paclitaxel were analyzed with serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level, and adverse events were examined as well. The combination therapy reduced the MPE level with a successful rate of 29% and a survival rate of 25% over the single paclitaxel treatment in the study cohort (both P?P?P?P? Intervention of Avastin enhances potency of paclitaxel in treatment of MPEs with the increased survival rate of the patients through inhibiting VEGF production and prolonging time of ongoing interaction between the chemotherapy drug and the tumor tissues.