Bevacizumab: current indications and future development for management of solid tumors.
BACKGROUND
Angiogenesis is essential for cancer growth and metastasis. VEGF is a key modulator of angiogenesis and its overexpression is correlated with advanced disease and poor prognosis. Bevacizumab, a recombinant humanized anti-VEGF mAb, is the most clinically advanced anti-angiogenic agent. Although bevacizumab has received most attention for first-line treatment of advanced colorectal and non-small-cell lung cancer, there is a rapidly growing body of evidence for its efficacy in treatment of a number of other solid tumors.


OBJECTIVE
We present the background, current status, and important ongoing trials involving the use of bevacizumab therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Bevacizumab has an established role in the treatment of metastatic colon, breast, and lung cancer. Yet many questions remain on its use in other disease types and demographic groups.
Jenab-Wolcott
Jenia
J
University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, 12 Penn Tower, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Giantonio
Bruce J
BJ