Pembrolizumab or Bevacizumab Plus Chemotherapy as First-Line Treatment of Advanced Nonsquamous Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective: Pembrolizumab and bevacizumab both have antitumor activity. According to NCCN updated guideline the benefit of pembrolizumab or bevacizumab as a first line in management of advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is documented in randomized controlled studies. The study aimed to evaluate the response and complications of patients with advanced NSCLC treated with pembrolizumab or bevacizumab plus chemotherapy. Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort study of patients with advanced nonsquamous NSCLC who received cisplatin with pemetrexed combined with pembrolizumab (A group) or bevacizumab (B group) from 07/02/2018 to 07/03/2021 at Peking University Cancer Hospital. Progression-free survival (PFS) was the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes included overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), duration of response (DoR), and adverse events (AEs). Results: This study included 66 patients, 34 in A group and 32 in B group. There were no differences in median PFS (7.6 vs 9.9 months, P = .601). There were no differences in median OS (23.1 vs 24.2 months, P = .782). There were no differences in ORR (57.6% vs 41.9%, P = .211) and DCR (93.9% vs 100.0%, P = .164) between 2 groups. The occurrence of AEs was similar. No new safety signals were observed. Grade 3 to 4 treatment-related AEs occurred in 17 (50.0%) patients of A group and in 12 (37.5%) of B group (P > .05). Conclusion: The addition of pembrolizumab or bevacizumab to pemetrexed plus cisplatin was well tolerated and resulted in a clinically meaningful treatment benefit in advanced nonsquamous NSCLC. When pembrolizumab is not suitable, bevacizumab plus chemotherapy may be an option.

Automated summary

The study evaluated the response and complications of patients with advanced NSCLC treated with pembrolizumab or bevacizumab plus chemotherapy. Results showed no significant differences between the two groups in terms of progression-free survival, overall survival, objective response rate, disease control rate, and adverse events.