A Proof of Concept Study of the Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Avastin (Bevacizumab) in Patients With Chemo-naive Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

ML21206 - Bevacizumab in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Proof of Concept Study

This single arm study evaluated the bone marrow response, safety, and tolerability of 6 months treatment with Avastin (bevacizumab) monotherapy in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Patients received 8 cycles (21 days duration) of Avastin monotherapy (15mg/kg) with 6 months of follow-up.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female patients, ≥ 18 years of age.
• B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia not yet requiring treatment.
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-2.
• No previous treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy.
• Life expectancy > 6 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Central nervous system (CNS) involvement by lymphoma or any evidence of spinal cord compression.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan based evidence of tumor invading major blood vessels.
• Gastrointestinal (GI) tract involvement by CLL.
• Active viral, bacterial, or fungal infection.
• Uncontrolled hypertension, cerebrovascular accident/stroke (≤ 6 months prior to randomization), myocardial infarction (≤ 6 months prior to randomization), unstable angina (≥ New York Heart Association (NYHA) Grade IV), thrombosis within 6 months before enrollment, NYHA Grade II congestive heart failure, or serious cardiac arrhythmia requiring ongoing medication.