Basal proteinuria as a prognostic factor in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with bevacizumab

BackgroundThe beneficial effects of bevacizumab, a widely used agent in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), on clinical survival have been proven. This study investigated the correlation of the clinical benefits and prognosis with proteinuria and other parameters.MethodsThe study included mCRC patients receiving bevacizumab. Hypertension, 24-hour urine proteinuria, and other routine parameters were recorded at baseline and at certain intervals during treatment.ResultsThe study included 36 consecutive patients. The median progression-free survival (PFS) duration was 10.9 ± 2.6 months, and the median overall survival (OS) was 23 ± 3.1 months. The median PFS was 7.2 months among patients with basal proteinuria above 114 mg/day, whereas the median PFS was 12 months among patients with an equal or lower level (P = 0.010). Similarly, PFS was shorter in patients with high lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) or carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels (LDH, P = 0.022; CEA, P = 0.014). Bevacizumab response's performance status was good (P = 0.05) and was even better in patients with a single liver metastasis (P = 0.034) or hypertension (P = 0.034).ConclusionsWe demonstrated that high basal proteinuria, LDH, or CEA levels may be negative prognostic factors in mCRC patients receiving bevacizumab.