Efficacy of bevacizumab combined with apatinib in the treatment of advanced metastatic gastric cancer

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of bevacizumab combined with apatinib in the treatment of advanced metastatic gastric cancer, providing insights for treatment decisions. Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective study involving patients with metastatic gastric cancer treated with apatinib, with or without bevacizumab, between August 2018 and April 2021 at Nanchang Medical College. Data on efficacy, adverse events, response rates, and quality of life were collected and compared. Results: No significant differences were observed in complete remission, partial response, stable disease, disease progression, objective response rate, or disease control rate between the groups (all P>0.05). The median progression-free survival was 9.23 months in the control group and 9.94 months in the observation group (P=0.587). Median overall survival (OS) was 19.64 months in the control group and 26.44 months in the observation group (P=0.187). Univariate and multivariate analyses identified combination therapy with apatinib and bevacizumab, primary lesion resection, and number of metastatic organs as independent prognostic factors for OS. Scores for role, emotional, somatic, cognitive, and social functions were significantly higher in the observation group post-intervention (all P<0.05). Conclusions: In patients with advanced metastatic gastric cancer, combined therapy with bevacizumab and apatinib significantly improved OS, enhanced response rates, and increased rates of early and maximal tumor shrinkage.