title: Complete pathological response to bevacizumab and chemoradiation in advanced rectal cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Localized rectal cancer responds well to 5-fluorouracil and radiation-based regimens. A phase I-II trial is currently testing the efficacy of adding bevacizumab, a VEGF-specific antibody, to standard chemoradiotherapy. The case presented here is a complete pathological response seen in a patient with extensive and locally invasive carcinoma after receiving this combined treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Physical examination, rectal ultrasound, PET-CT scan, laboratory tests, proctoscopic examination, chest radiograph, rectal forcep biopsies with immunohistochemistry, and protein and flow cytometric analyses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Large, invasive, ultrasound stage T4 carcinoma of the rectum, which was positive for survivin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One 2-week cycle of bevacizumab alone, followed by 3 cycles of bevacizumab with continuous 5-fluorouracil infusion, and external-beam radiation therapy given 5 days per week to the pelvis, abdominoperineal resection with posterior vaginectomy, hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. christopher.willett@duke.edu
authors.forename: Christopher G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Willett
authors.forename: Dan G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Duda
authors.forename: Emmanuelle
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: di Tomaso
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Boucher
authors.forename: Brian G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Czito
authors.forename: Zeljko
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Vujaskovic
authors.forename: Gordana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vlahovic
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bendell
authors.forename: Kenneth S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Herbert I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Hurwitz
authors.forename: Rex
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bentley
authors.forename: Gregory Y
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Lauwers
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Poleski
authors.forename: Terence Z
authors.initials: TZ
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Paulson
authors.forename: Kirk A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Ludwig
authors.forename: Rakesh K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Jain
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D012074:Remission Induction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab