(ChemotherapyAdvisor)–Shorter infusions of bevacizumab—0.5 mg/kg/min—do not increase risk of proteinuria and hypertension, a study in Annals of Oncology published online November 21 has found.
Bevacizumab can be administered safely as a shorter infusion without increased risk of infusion-related hypersensitivity reactions; however, risk of proteinuria and hypertension has not yet been determined, noted Sachin R. Shah, PharmD, of the Pharmacy Practice Department, Texas Tech University HSC—School of Pharmacy/VA North Texas Health Care System, Dallas, TX, and colleagues.
The multicenter, prospective, observational study included 63 patients who had received 392 doses of <10 mg/kg of bevacizumab infused over 0.5 mg/kg/min.
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“Patients were observed until discontinuation of bevacizumab for progression of cancer or toxicity. Incidence of hypertension and proteinuria was compared with a prior cohort of patients who had received standard duration infusions of bevacizumab,” Dr. Shah states.
Of the patients, 19 (30.2%) experienced proteinuria while receiving bevacizumab; 13 had grade 1, 6 grade 2, and none grade 3 or 4 proteinuria. Hypertension was reported in 32 patients (50.8%) receiving bevacizumab, 12 (19%) of which was grade ≥3.
In the 120 patients who had received 1,347 infusions of bevacizumab of standard duration, incidence of proteinuria was 38.3% and hypertension, 56.6%.
