title: Bevacizumab treatment for advanced breast cancer.
abstract: Significant advances in the treatment of patients with breast cancer have been made in the past 10 years. The current systemic treatment of breast cancer is characterized by the discovery of multiple cancer targets leading to treatments that are more sophisticated and specific than conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy. Two classes of compounds that have helped improve clinical outcomes are small molecules and monoclonal antibodies targeting specific tyrosine kinase receptors. Many novel targets have been discovered, and parallel multiple approaches to anticancer therapy have recently emerged from the literature. One promising strategy is targeting the proangiogenic vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs), either by ligand sequestration (preventing VEGF receptor binding) or inhibiting downstream receptor signaling. Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody directed against VEGF, has been shown to improve the efficacy of taxanes in frontline treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer. This review outlines the most promising breast cancer studies using bevacizumab combined with traditional cytotoxic agents in advanced breast cancer. In addition, we discuss the current indications reviewed by the Oncologic Drug Advisory Committee and define our vision of how the benefit of patient clinical trials should be measured.
authors: Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030-3721, USA. ralvarez@mdanderson.org
authors: Ricardo H
authors: RH
authors: Alvarez
authors: Valentina
authors: V
authors: Guarneri
authors: Fikri
authors: F
authors: Icli
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: Johnston
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Khayat
authors: Sibylle
authors: S
authors: Loibl
authors: Miguel
authors: M
authors: Martin
authors: Christoph
authors: C
authors: Zielinski
authors: PierFranco
authors: P
authors: Conte
authors: Gabriel N
authors: GN
authors: Hortobagyi
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab