Long-term use of bevacizumab with interferon-alfa as a first-line targeted therapy of advanced kidney cancer

This article presents the results of our observations of the treatment of patients with metastatic kidney cancer. Bevacizumab is used in combination with interferon-alpha (IFN-a) as a first-line treatment. The medicament belongs to the new generation group of drugs that block angiogenesis.
Aim: to determine the effectiveness and possible adverse effects of the treatment of renal cell carcinoma with the combination of bevacizumab and interferon-alpha.
Materials and methods: treatment was performed in 22 patients with distant metastases of renal cell carcinoma. Patients received therapy in the mode of bevacizumab 10 mg/kg intravenously every 14 days, and IFN-a-2A 3 million units subcutaneously 3 times a week. Blood test, serum biochemistry, coagulogram and analysis of urine were monitored every 2 weeks. Computed tomography of the chest, abdomen and pelvis was performed every 3 months.
Results: progression-free survival was 12 months, overall survival was 21 months (12-24 months). We identified adverse events during the treatment, in relation to which some patients had either temporarily cancel current treatment or to modify the dose (grade 3 (G3) was detected in 18% of patients).
Conclusion: after 24 months of treatment 14 patients (63%) had disease progression, 5 (22%) patients had stabilization of the disease and 3 patients (15%) had partial response to treatment. Our results (overall survival, progression-free survival, rate of side effects) are consistent with results of the treatment described in world literature. Side effects of the treatment are associated primarily with the use of low doses of IFN-alpha and there were practically no side effects of high severity, requiring special treatment or cancel of treatment. It allows to recommend bevacizumab and interferon-alpha in low doses as first-line combination therapy. Prevention of adverse effects of treatment allows to continue the ongoing targeted therapy.

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