In the ICON7 trial for ovarian cancer, bevacizumab was added to standard carboplatin-paclitaxel chemotherapy. What was the primary finding regarding bevacizumab's benefit?
- A Improved progression-free survival particularly in high-risk patients (stage IV or suboptimally debulked stage III) ✓
- B Improved overall survival in all stage III–IV patients
- C Reduced surgical morbidity when given pre-operatively
- D Equivalent benefit to PARP inhibitor maintenance therapy
Correct answer: A. Improved progression-free survival particularly in high-risk patients (stage IV or suboptimally debulked stage III)
Explanation
ICON7 (2011) showed that adding bevacizumab (an anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody) to carboplatin-paclitaxel and continuing as maintenance improved progression-free survival in the overall population; the greatest benefit was seen in the pre-defined high-risk group (stage IV or stage III with >1 cm residual disease after surgery). Overall survival benefit was confined to this high-risk subgroup. PARP inhibitors are a separate class evaluated in SOLO-1 and PAOLA-1.
Reference: Shaw's Textbook of Gynaecology, 17th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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