title: Turning promise into progress for antiangiogenic agents in epithelial ovarian cancer.
abstract: Despite efforts to improve chemotherapeutic efficacy in epithelial ovarian cancer, outcome for patients with advanced disease has remained unchanged since the introduction of standard carboplatin and paclitaxel. Interest has therefore shifted toward molecularly targeted therapies that interfere with important features of ovarian carcinogenesis, such as angiogenesis. Several angiogenesis inhibitors, targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) ligands (bevacizumab, VEGF-Trap) or their receptors (VEGFR-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors) have been clinically evaluated. These agents demonstrated efficacy in phase II clinical trials. Results from phase III trials, in which bevacizumab was added to standard frontline chemotherapy, show a modest effect. Although the initial expectations for angiogenesis inhibitors have been tempered, further research is warranted to define their precise place in the treatment of ovarian cancer. This review summarizes the performed and ongoing studies with regard to angiogenesis inhibitors in ovarian cancer, and the available data on biomarkers for response prediction. Preclinical studies evaluating alternative angiogenesis inhibitors will also be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Arne R M
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: van der Bilt
authors.forename: Elisabeth G E
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.forename: Hetty
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Timmer-Bosscha
authors.forename: Ate G J
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: van der Zee
authors.forename: Anna K L
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Reyners
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077216:Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor