The impact of bevacizumab on health-related quality of life in patients treated for recurrent glioblastoma: Results of the randomised controlled phase 2 BELOB trial. Issue 10 (July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dirven, Linda; van den Bent, Martin J.; Bottomley, Andrew; van der Meer, Nelly; van der Holt, Bronno; Vos, Maaike J.; Walenkamp, Annemiek M.E.; Beerepoot, Laurens V.; Hanse, Monique C.J.; Reijneveld, Jaap C.; Otten, Aja; de Vos, Filip Y.F.L.; Smits, Marion; Bromberg, Jacoline E.C.; Taal, Walter; Taphoorn, Martin J.B.; Dutch Neuro-Oncology Group (LWNO)
• Is Part Of: European journal of cancer. Volume 51:Issue 10(2015:Jul.)
• Page Start: 1321
• Page End: 1330
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Subjects: Cancer -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Périodiques; Cancer; Tumors; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2015.03.025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-8049

Abstract

<abstract xml:lang="en" abstract-type="author" id="ab005"> <title id="st005">Abstract</title> <sec> <title id="st010">Background</title> <p id="sp0005">The BELOB study, a randomised controlled phase 2 trial comparing lomustine, bevacizumab and combined lomustine and bevacizumab in patients with recurrent glioblastoma, showed that the 9-month overall survival rate was most promising in the combination arm. Here we report the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) results, a secondary trial end-point.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st015">Methods</title> <p id="sp0010">HRQoL was measured at baseline and every 6 weeks until progression using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) core questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and brain module (QLQ-BN20). HRQoL was assessed over time for five preselected scales (global health (GH), physical (PF) and social functioning (SF), motor dysfunction (MD) and communication deficit (CD)). Moreover, mean changes in HRQoL from baseline until progression were determined.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st020">Results</title> <p id="sp0015">138/148 patients with at least a baseline HRQoL assessment were analysed. Over time, HRQoL remained relatively stable in all treatment arms for all five scales, at least during the first three treatment cycles. More than half (54–61%) of the patients showed stable (<10 point change) or improved (⩾10 point change) HRQoL during their progression-free time, except for SF (43%), irrespective of treatment arm. Deterioration of mean HRQoL was most profound at disease progression for all scales except SF, which deteriorated earlier in disease course. Compared to baseline, 40% of patients had clinically relevant (⩾10 points) worse GH, PF and SF, while 44% and 31% had increased MD and CD at disease progression, irrespective of treatment arm.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st025">Conclusions</title> <p id="sp0020">Bevacizumab, whether or not in combination with lomustine, did not negatively affect HRQoL in patients treated for recurrent glioblastoma in this randomised study.</p> </sec> </abstract>