Increased hemoglobin associated with VEGF inhibitors in advanced renal cell carcinoma

Cancer Invest. 2009 Oct;27(8):851-6. doi: 10.1080/07357900902744528.

Abstract

We retrospectively analyzed whether increased hemoglobin is a surrogate biomarker of efficacy for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients. Twelve patients were identified who had received bevacizumab alone or as combination therapy. Eleven patients experienced a rise in hemoglobin. Median change was 1.6 g/dL (0-4.0). Degree of peak increase correlated with longer progression-free survival (PFS) in metastatic patients: increase of < 15% yielded a 3.1-month median PFS compared to 8.2 months with rises > 15%. This study identifies increased hemoglobin as a possible consequence of VEGF inhibitors. The correlation with longer PFS suggests that rise in hemoglobin may be a surrogate biomarker of efficacy.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Bevacizumab
  • California
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / secondary
  • Databases as Topic
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Hemoglobins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Kidney Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Kidney Neoplasms / secondary
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nevada
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Up-Regulation
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Hemoglobins
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Bevacizumab