title: Angiogenesis: a promising therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.
abstract: Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecological cancers. Primary treatment of advanced ovarian cancer (FIGO stages III and IV) until recently consisted of cytoreductive surgery and paclitaxel/carboplatin chemotherapy. The results of two randomized studies, showing prolongation of progression-free survival (PFS) by the addition of the anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody, bevacizumab, led to the approval of this agent for first-line treatment of this disease and indicate that angiogenesis is a promising therapeutic target. Angiogenesis is essential for oncogenesis but also the viability and expansion of ovarian cancer. Specifically, VEGF is involved in the formation of ascites and has a direct effect on ascites tumor cells as well as an immunosuppressive function. Apart from VEGF, PDGF, FGF and angiopoietins present a therapeutic interest. We are reviewing the results of published clinical studies using anti-angiogenic factors in advanced ovarian cancer.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Clinical Therapeutics, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. abamias@med.uoa.gr
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bamias
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pignata
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pujade-Lauraine
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents