Slow Accrual

The purpose of this research study was to evaluate how effective the combination of Carboplatin, Bevacizumab (Avastin™) and, Pemetrexed (Alimta™) is in the treatment of patients with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM). A combination of cisplatin and pemetrexed is considered standard for this disease and typically off protocol patients would receive cisplatin or carboplatin and pemetrexed as standard of care.

The planned length of the study (first patient screened to last patient enrolled) was 24 months. The planned length of the entire study (enrollment period + the treatment period + a follow-up period of at least 12 months) was 36 months.

This was a planned Phase I/II dose escalation study. Patients were enrolled in a cohort of 3.

Eligible patients with unresectable pleural mesothelioma received frontline treatment consisting of carboplatin AUC 5, bevacizumab 15 mg/kg, and pemetrexed 500 mg/m^2 every 21 days (Tier-1). Dose escalation continued to achieve a target dosage using carboplatin AUC 6 (Tier-2). After a maximum of 6 treatment cycles, non-progressing patients received maintenance therapy with bevacizumab and pemetrexed every 21 days to complete 1-year total treatment duration.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient must have histologically proven diagnosis of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM)
• Patient must have MPM with measurable disease.
• Patients must have Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0, 1, or 2.
• Patient must have adequate renal function with a serum creatinine level of less than 1.5 mg/dl and patient should have a calculated creatinine clearance of more than 40ml/min.
• Patient must have adequate hepatic function with a serum bilirubin level of less that 3mg/dl, and an alkaline phosphatase, ALT and AST of less than five times the upper limit of normal
• Patient must also have evidence of adequate bone marrow function with an absolute neutrophil count of more than 1500 cells per deciliter and a platelet count of more than 100,000 per deciliter.
• Patients must be more than 28 days since prior open biopsy; more than 7 days since prior fine-needle aspiration; more than 7 days since prior core biopsy; more than 28 days since prior surgery.
• Patients must be able to take dexamethasone, folic acid, and vitamin B-12 supplementation.
• All patients must sign informed consent that will detail the investigational nature of the study in accordance with the institutional and federal guidelines.
• Patients with clinically significant pleural effusions or ascites (symptomatic or detectable by clinical exam) should have their effusions drained prior to enrollment on the clinical trial.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with hypercalcemia (corrected calcium of more than 11 mg/dl) will be excluded.
• Patients with history of hemoptysis, haematemesis, coagulopathy or thrombosis will be excluded.
• Patients requiring anticoagulation for any reason will be excluded.
• History of palliative radiation therapy within 2 weeks
• Blood pressure of >160/100 mmHg, despite adequate anti-hypertensive use.
• Currently ongoing unstable angina
• New York Heart Association (NYHA) Grade II or greater congestive heart failure.
• History of stroke within 6 months
• Major surgical procedure, open biopsy, or significant traumatic injury within 28 days prior to the day of initiation of treatment, anticipation of need for major surgical procedure during the course of the study
• Minor surgical procedures such as fine needle aspirations or core biopsies within 7 days prior to the day of initiation of treatment.
• Pregnant (positive pregnancy test) or lactating
• Urine calculated creatinine clearance of less than 40ml/minute. - History of abdominal fistula, gastrointestinal perforation, or intra-abdominal abscess within 6 months prior to Day 0
• Serious, non-healing wound, ulcer, or bone fracture
• Inability to comply with study and/or follow-up procedures

Laboratory Values:

• Patient must have adequate renal function with a serum creatinine level of less than 1.5 mg/dl and patient should have a calculated creatinine clearance of more than 40ml/min.
• Patient must have adequate hepatic function with a serum bilirubin level of less than 3 mg/dl, and an alkaline phosphatase, ALT and AST of less than five times the upper limit of normal
• Patient must also have evidence of adequate bone marrow function with an absolute neutrophil count of more than 1, 500 cells per deciliter and a platelet count of more than 100,000 per deciliter.