Efficacy and safety of bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer — a single-center real-world analysis

Jovana Trifunović ,
Jovana Trifunović
Contact Jovana Trifunović

Oncology Department, Clinical Hospital Center Zemun , Belgrade , Serbia

Sara Filipović ,
Sara Filipović

Oncology Department, Clinical Hospital Center Zemun , Belgrade , Serbia

Nemanja Trifunović ,
Nemanja Trifunović

Department of General Surgery, Clinical Hospital Center Zemun , Belgrade , Serbia

Marina Stojanović ,
Marina Stojanović

Oncology Department, Clinical Hospital Center Zemun , Belgrade , Serbia

Sofija Milanović
Sofija Milanović

Oncology Department, Clinical Hospital Center Zemun , Belgrade , Serbia

Published: 12.11.2025.

Volume 39, Issue 2 (2025)

pp. 15-25;

https://doi.org/10.63696/TMJ202502184

Abstract

Background: Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), represents an important component of systemic therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). By inhibiting angiogenesis and promoting vascular normalization, bevacizumab enhances the efficacy of cytotoxic drugs. However, despite proven benefits, some uncertainties remain regarding its safety profile, particularly the risk of gastrointestinal perforation and other vascular toxicities. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, single-center, observational study included patients with histologically confirmed mCRC treated with combination chemotherapy and bevacizumab (FOLFOX/FOLFIRI + bevacizumab) at the Oncology Department of Zemun Clinical Hospital Center between July 2022 and July 2025. Efficacy was assessed according to RECIST 1.1 criteria, including objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), and duration of response (DoR). Adverse events were classified according to CTCAE v6.0. Results: A total of 74 patients were analyzed (56.8% male; mean age 67 ± 9 years). The median PFS was 6.5 months (IQR 3–9.8), and DoR 7.3 months (95% CI 5.2–9.5). ORR was 35.1%, and DCR 82.4%. The most common toxicities were hypertension (12.2%) and proteinuria (10.9%), while gastrointestinal perforation was observed in 4.1% of patients—slightly higher than in larger real-world series, which may be related to locally advanced disease, peritoneal carcinomatosis, or an intact primary tumor. Conclusion: Bevacizumab-based therapy demonstrated consistent efficacy and an acceptable safety profile in patients with mCRC. Although the incidence of perforation and fistula formation was somewhat higher, the therapy remained safe with careful patient selection and monitoring.

Keywords

References

1.
Underwood PW, Yexley M, McDermott W. Update on targeted therapy and immunotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer. *Front Oncol*. 2024;14(112345).
2.
Jain RK, Duda DG, Clark JW, Loeffler JS. Vascular normalization as a therapeutic strategy for malignant and nonmalignant disease. *Cancer Res*. 2013;73(10):2913–23.
3.
Batchelor TT, Sorensen AG, Tomaso E. Bevacizumab-induced tumor vasculature normalization and its implications for chemotherapy delivery. *Clin Cancer Res*. 2012;18(22):6371–8.
4.
Jang HJ, Kim BJ, Kim JH, Kim HS. The addition of bevacizumab in the first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer: an updated meta-analysis of randomized trials. *Oncotarget*. 2017;8(42):73009–16.
5.
Qi WX, Shen Z, Tang LN, Yao Y. Bevacizumab increases the risk of gastrointestinal perforation in cancer patients: a meta-analysis with a focus on different subgroups. *Eur J Clin Pharmacol*. 2014;70(8):893–906.
6.
Hurwitz HI, Tebbutt NC, Kabbinavar F, Giantonio BJ, Guan ZZ. Efficacy and safety of bevacizumab in metastatic colorectal cancer: pooled analysis from seven randomized controlled trials. *Oncologist*. 2013;18(9):1004–12.
7.
Tjulandin SA, Tryakin AA, Besova NS, Sholokhova E, Ivanova JI. Real-world treatment patterns among patients with advanced gastric cancer in Russia: a chart review study. *J Drug Assess*. 2019;8(1):150–8.
8.
Jin R, Ogbomo AS, Accortt NA, Lal LS, Bishi G. Real-world outcomes among patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated first line with a bevacizumab biosimilar (bevacizumab-awwb. *Ther Adv Med Oncol*. 2023;15(17588359231182386).
9.
Shan H, Wang M, Huang S, Liu H, Liu J. Efficacy and safety of bevacizumab biosimilar (Encoda) compared with reference bevacizumab (Avastin) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: a multicenter, real-world study. *Clin Med Insights Oncol*. 2024;18(11795549241303726).
10.
Hapani S, Chu D, Wu S. Risk of gastrointestinal perforation in patients with cancer treated with bevacizumab: a meta-analysis. *Lancet Oncol*. 2009;10(6):559–68.
11.
Roohullah A, Chantrill L, Sjoquist K. Gastrointestinal perforation in metastatic colorectal cancer patients with peritoneal metastases receiving bevacizumab. *World J Gastroenterol*. 2015;21(17):5352–8.
12.
Zhao T, Wang X, Xu T, Xu X, Liu Z. Bevacizumab significantly increases the risks of hypertension and proteinuria in cancer patients: a systematic review and comprehensive meta-analysis. *PLoS One*. 2017;12(5).
13.
Nihei S, Asaka J, Yaegashi M, Asahi K, Kudo K. Effect of blood pressure control on the risk of proteinuria during bevacizumab treatment in patients with colorectal cancer: a single-center retrospective cohort study. *J Pharm Health Care Sci*. 2024;10(3).
14.
Taieb J, Fakih M, Prager GW, Ciardiello F, Cutsem E. Trifluridine–tipiracil and bevacizumab in refractory metastatic colorectal cancer. *N Engl J Med*. 2023;389(2):190–200.

Citation

Copyright

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 

Article metrics

Google scholar: See link

The statements, opinions and data contained in the journal are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publisher and the editor(s). We stay neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Most read articles

Partners