title: Antiangiogenic agents should be integrated into the standard treatment for patients with ovarian cancer.
abstract: Tumor angiogenesis is a fundamental process driving the progression of epithelial ovarian cancer and related malignancies. The question is whether agents targeting tumor angiogenesis should at this time be integrated into standard treatment. In this article, the pro side of this question is presented. Multiple phase II trials have demonstrated efficacy for antiangiogenic agents in the treatment of women with recurrent ovarian cancer. Results of three phase III trials evaluating the antivascular endothelial growth factor antibody bevacizumab have been presented, all demonstrating significant increases in progression-free survival when combined with standard cytotoxic chemotherapy and continued beyond chemotherapy, with acceptable toxicity. Several other angiogenesis-targeted agents are undergoing phase III evaluation. Based on these data, it is concluded that antiangiogenic therapy, at least with bevacizumab, should be integrated into the standard clinical management of patients with this disease. Further investigation is needed to determine optimal utilization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, Section of Gynecologic Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA. robert.burger@fccc.edu
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Burger
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000077216:Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab