A phase II study of bevacizumab and temsirolimus in advanced extra-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Abstract

We assessed the efficacy and safety of combining bevacizumab with temsirolimus in patients with advanced extra-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. This NCI-sponsored multicenter, open-label, phase II study (NCT01010126) enrolled patients with advanced, recurrent, or metastatic extra-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. All patients were treated with temsirolimus and bevacizumab until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Temsirolimus 25 mg was administered intravenously on days 1, 8, 15, and 22, and bevacizumab 10 mg/kg intravenously on days 1 and 15 of a 4-week cycle. Discontinuation of temsirolimus or bevacizumab did not require discontinuation of the other agent. The primary endpoints were objective response rate and 6-month progression-free survival rate. Fifty-nine patients were enrolled in this study, and 54 were evaluable for efficacy and adverse events. While median progression-free survival was 7.1 months, median duration of treatment with temsirolimus was 3.9 months, and with bevacizumab was 3.5 months. The objective response rate of combination therapy was 2%, and 6-month progression-free survival was 48%. The most frequently reported grade 3-4 adverse events included fatigue (13%), hypertension (13%), and bleeding (13%). Close to 54% of patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events, refusal of further treatment, or treatment delays. Three deaths occurred on study, with 2 treatment-related fatal bowel perforations. Given the minimal efficacy and increased toxicity seen with the combination of bevacizumab and temsirolimus, we do not recommend the use of this regimen in patients with advanced extra-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.