A Study of Avastin (Bevacizumab) in Combination With Gemcitabine With or Without Cisplatin in First-Line Treatment of Elderly Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

This 2 arm study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of Avastin + gemcitabine, and Avastin + gemcitabine + attenuated doses of cisplatin, as first line treatment in elderly patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. Patients will be randomised to receive either Avastin 7.5mg/kg iv on day 1 + gemcitabine 1200mg/m2 on days 1-8 of each 3 week cycle, or Avastin 7.5mg/kg iv on day 1 + cisplatin 60mg/m2 on day 1 + gemcitabine 1000mg/m2 on days 1-8 of each 3 week cycle. After 6 cycles of combination therapy, all patients will continue to receive Avastin monotherapy. The anticipated time on study treatment is until disease progression, and the target sample size is \<100 individuals.

Sex

All

Minimum age

70 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* adult patients, \>=70 years of age;
* inoperable, locally advanced, metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer;
* \>=1 measurable lesion;
* ECOG performance status 0-1.

Exclusion Criteria:

* neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy within 6 months prior to enrollment;
* radical radiotherapy with curative intent within 28 days prior to enrollment;
* history of \>=grade 2 hemoptysis in 3 months prior to enrollment;
* evidence of CNS metastases;
* current or recent (within 10 days of first dose of Avastin)use of aspirin (\>325 mg/day)or full dose anticoagulants or thrombolytic agents for therapeutic purposes.