Dr. Mirza on Niraparib Plus Bevacizumab Combo in Ovarian Cancer

Author(s):

Mansoor Raza Mirza, MD, chief oncologist in the Department of Oncology in Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark, and medical director of the Nordic Society of Gynecologic Oncology-Clinical Trial Unit, discusses phase I results of a trial exploring the combination of niraparib (Zejula) and bevacizumab (Avastin) in patients with platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer.

Twelve patients tolerated this combination very well; the recommended phase II dose was determined to be 300 mg of niraparib and 15 mg/kg of bevacizumab, Mirza explains. Additionally, there are patients who are still on the combination treatment beyond 2 years with encouraging response rates. There is a small group of patients with 50% response rates, he adds. The median progression-free survival is 49 weeks, which is comparable to patients who receive platinum combination therapy.

This is an active combination; investigators are currently conducting part 2 of this study, which is a randomized trial comparing niraparib alone with niraparib with bevacizumab. Enrollment is expected to be completed by the end of 2017. This will determine if the combination is an effective regimen to help delay disease progression.