Bevacizumab in the pre-operative treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer: A systematic review

Table 1 Bevacizumab with conventional chemo-radiotherapy: Overview of the discussed studies

Ref.	Phase	n	Treatment	Stage	Post-operative complications (n)	pCR
Willet et al[11], 2009	I-II	32	BV 5 or 10 mg/kg, 5-FU 225 mg/m2 daily, RT 50.4 Gy in 28 fr.	II-III	Anastomotic leak with presacral abscess (1)	16%
					Vaginal tear with presacral hematoma and abscess (1)
					Pelvic hematoma (1)
					Delayed healing of perineal incision (2)
					Ileus (2)
					Neurogenic bladder (1)
					Perforated ileostomy (1)
					Pulmonary embolus (1)
					Wound infection (3)
Crane et al[12], 2010	II	25	BV 5 mg/kg, CAPE 900 mg/m2bid, RT 50.4 Gy in 28 fr.	II-III	Wound complications requiring surgical intervention (3)	32%
					Minor complications (5)
Velenik et al[13], 2011	II	61	BV 5 mg/kg, CAPE 825 mg/m2bid, RT 50.4 Gy in 28 fr.	II-III	Delayed wound healing (18)	13.3%
					Infection/abscess (12)
					Anastomotic leakage (7)
					Pneumothorax (1)
Villacampa et al[15], 2012	IIb	90	Arm A: BV 5 mg/kg, CAPE 825 mg/m2bid, RT 45 Gy in 25 fr.	II-III	19 vs 18 patients (not specified)	16% vs 11%
			Arm B: CAPE 825 mg/m2bid, RT 45 Gy in 25 fr.
Gasparini et al[16], 2012	II	43	BV 5 mg/kg, CAPE 825 mg/m2bid, RT 50.4 Gy in 28 fr.	II-III	Bowel perforation (1)	14%
					Anastomosis failure (1)
					Abscess (1)
Marijnen et al[17], 2008	II	23	BV 5 mg /kg, CAPE 825 mg/m2bid, RT 50 Gy in 25 fr.	II-III	Perineal dehiscence (1)	9%
					Rectovaginal fistula (1)
					Peri-operative bleeding (1)
					Pulmonary embolism (1)

BV: Bevacizumab; RT: Radiotherapy; 5-FU: 5-fluorouracil; CAPE: Capecitabine; fr.: Fractions; pCR: Pathological complete response.