Prognostic and predictive factors for angiosarcoma patients receiving paclitaxel once weekly plus or minus bevacizumab: an ancillary study derived from a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND: We report here a correlation analysis conducted along with a phase II trial assessing bevacizumab in combination with weekly paclitaxel. METHODS: Circulating pro/anti-angiogenic factors were assessed on day 1 (D1) and day 8 (D8). The prognostic value for progression-free survival (PFS) was evaluated using a Cox model with biomarkers as continuous variables. RESULTS: Among the 51 patients enrolled and treated in this trial, biomarker analysis was performed for 42: 18 in Arm A (single-agent) and 24 in Arm B (combination). With a median follow-up of 46 months, PFS was 5.5 versus 5.7 months, respectively (p = 0.75). According to univariate analysis, factors associated with a poor PFS were as follows: visceral angiosarcoma, de novo angiosarcoma, and high PlGF and low VEGF-C baseline values. In multivariate analysis, de novo angiosarcoma (HR = 2.5; p = 0.024) and baseline VEGF-C value (HR = 0.7; p = 0.003) were significant prognostic factors. We observed a significant increase in circulating PlGF (< 0.001) and a decrease in VEGF (< 0.001) during bevacizumab treatment. An increase in FGF was associated with a poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS: De novo angiosarcoma and a low baseline level of VEGF-C were found to be associated with a poor prognosis. Addition of bevacizumab induces major changes in circulating biomarkers (VEGF and PlGF) in a short timeframe without impacting PFS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered on EudraCT N° 2009–017020-59 and NCT01303497 (February 24, 2011). ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-018-4828-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.