title: Bevacizumab and ovarian cancer.
abstract: Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most lethal of gynecologic malignancies in the United States, with a significant proportion of patients with advanced disease achieving clinical remission with conventional treatment approaches, but dying of recurrence. Bevacizumab is a first-in-class antiangiogenic. This recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody neutralizes vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and inhibits endothelial and tumor cell activation and proliferation. It has a low clearance and long elimination half-life, supporting a convenient 2- or 3-weekly dosing schedule. It is generally well tolerated, although trials have highlighted some toxicity-related concerns, notably gastrointestinal perforation. Phase III trials that evaluate overall survival are not yet mature, and cost-effectiveness of bevacizumab is hotly debated. As more evidence for the role of anti-VEGF agents in augmenting therapy and inducing durable tumor dormancy continues to emerge, it is anticipated that antiangiogenic therapy will play an important role in the management ovarian malignancy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: G G Y
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Penson
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D016527:Drug Costs; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018579:Patient Selection; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D000068258:Bevacizumab