Background: The aim of this meta-analysis was to summarize the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab in the treatment of ovarian cancer.
Methods: We sought to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) by searching PubMed and Web of Science. Outcomes were objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events.
Results: Four studies with 4,246 patients were included. Combination of bevacizumab and chemotherapy resulted in a statistically significant improvement in ORR (OR 2.165, 95 % CI 1.511-3.103) and in PFS (HR 0.691, 95 % CI 0.517-0.865), compared with chemotherapy alone. There was no evidence of a significant improvement in OS (HR 0.934, 95 % CI 0.826-1.041). It also had significantly increased risk of gastrointestinal events (OR 2.743, 95 % CI 1.580-4.763; P < 0.001), hypertension (OR 4.630, 95 % CI 3.737 to 5.737; P < 0.001), proteinuria (OR 4.872, 95 % CI 2.617-9.069; P < 0.001), and arterial thromboembolism (OR 1.994, 95 % CI 1.210-3.286; P = 0.007).
Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that the addition of bevacizumab to chemotherapy offers meaningful improvement in objective response rate and progression-free survival in ovarian cancer treatment, but does not benefit overall survival. It also significantly increased the occurrence of gastrointestinal events, hypertension, proteinuria, and arterial thromboembolism.