Median PFS was 4.4 months (HR 0.72 [95% CI: 0.42–1.23]) for BE versus 4.8 months (HR 0.66 [95% CI: 0.38–1.16]) for BC. These data suggested that the BE combination had similar efficacy to chemotherapy in a second-line setting. The BRAIN study of BE in second-line treatment of NSCLC patients with asymptomatic brain metastases (n = 24) demonstrated a median PFS of 6.3 months (95% CI: 2.5–8.4) and a 6-month PFS rate of 58% [23]. INNOVATIONS investigated first-line BE in NSCLC and also showed no benefit Fluorouracil mouse with the BE combination compared with
BC regimen. Median PFS was 3.5 months for BE versus 7.7 months for BC. OS was 12.6 months versus 16.3 months for BE versus BC [28]. The first-line SAKK 19/05 study showed a BE combination resulted in PFS of 4.1 months and OS of 14.1 [24]. In previous studies investigating the use PFT�� supplier of the single-agent TKIs for the treatment of first-line NSCLC, the results in unselected patients were not encouraging [16], [18],
[19] and [29]. While the combination of bevacizumab and erlotinib showed promise in second-line treatment, the TASK and INNOVATIONS studies suggest that the addition of bevacizumab to first-line erlotinib does not improve outcomes for unselected patients with NSCLC. A recent editorial highlighted that combining more agents is not necessarily better when designing clinical trials and using agents with different modes of action should only be done when preclinical data support the combination in that particular setting [30]. This study did not show a PFS benefit for the BE combination in first-line advanced NSCLC compared with BC. Subgroup findings were consistent with the overall population. The premature termination of study HSP90 treatment in the BE arm does not allow for a reliable assessment of efficacy in the smaller subgroups of patients, including those with EGFR mutations. Based
on these findings the erlotinib plus bevacizumab combination is not currently recommended for first-line NSCLC. Dr. N. Thatcher has received honoraria from Roche and received payment for consultancy, expert testimony and other remunerations from Roche. Dr. T. Ciuleanu has received honoraria from Roche. Dr. H. Groen has received research funding from Roche and received payment for consultancy from Roche and Pfizer. Dr. G. Klingelschmitt and Dr. A. Zeaiter are employees of Roche. Dr. B. Klughammer is an employee of Roche and owns stocks in F. Hoffmann La Roche. Dr. C.-M. Tsai has received honoraria from Pfizer, Roche, Eli Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim and Astra Zeneca. Prof. G. Middleton has received honoraria and payment for Advisory roles from Roche. Dr. C.Y. Chung has received other remunerations from Novartis. Dr. D. Amoroso, Dr. T.-Y. Chao, Dr. J. Milanowski, Dr. C.-J. Tsao, Dr. A. Szczesna and Dr. D.S. Heo had no conflicts to declare. This trial was designed, funded and monitored by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.