title: Bevacizumab in glioblastoma multiforme.
abstract: Bevacizumab is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that selectively binds with high affinity to human VEGF and neutralizes VEGF' s biologic activity. Malignant gliomas are characterized by extensive microvascular proliferation and produce VEGF. Preclinical data indicate that angiogenesis is essential for the proliferation and survival of malignant glioma cells. Promising response rates, progression-free survival rates at 6 months and median overall survival in patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) have been reported with bevacizumab, both in retrospective analyses and in prospective Phase II studies. In the pivotal randomized but noncomparative Phase II trial, a non-negligible percentage of patients survived beyond 1 and 2 years after the start of bevacizumab administration. However, randomized Phase III trial data on bevacizumab in recurrent GBM are lacking. Currently, bevacizumab is being studied in combination with temozolomide and radiation in previously untreated GBM patients in two large randomized Phase III trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, 5650 Edegem, Belgium. pol.specenier@pandora.be
authors.forename: Pol
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Specenier
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab