Dr. Leath on the Results of the GOG 240 Trial in Advanced Cervical Cancer

Charles A. Leath III MD, gynecologic oncologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, discusses the results of the phase III GOG 240 trial in advanced cervical cancer.

The trial was conducted to answer 2 questions: whether patients with advanced cervical cancer could derive the same benefit with a non-platinum chemotherapy regimen as they would with a traditional method and whether bevacizumab (Avastin) added any benefit to chemotherapy, says Leath. Previously, bevacizumab had shown activity in women with persistent or recurrent cervical cancer in the phase II GOG 227C trial.

In the GOG 240 trial, women with metastatic, recurrent, or persistent cervical cancer were randomized to 1 of 4 arms: cisplatin and paclitaxel (Arm A), topotecan and paclitaxel (Arm B), cisplatin, paclitaxel, and bevacizumab (Arm C), or topotecan, paclitaxel, and bevacizumab (Arm D). Results showed an improvement in overall survival (OS) in Arm C and Arm D. The improvement in OS between Arm D and Arm B was not found to be statistically significant. Although the trial demonstrated improved outcomes with bevacizumab, investigators are still searching for potentially curative therapies for these patients, concludes Leath.