title: Bevacizumab in ovarian cancer: A critical review of phase III studies.
abstract: Bevacizumab (BV) is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting vascular endothelial growth factor and it is the first molecular-targeted agent to be used for the treatment of ovarian cancer (OC). Randomized Phase III trials evaluated the combination of BV plus standard chemotherapy for first-line treatment of advanced OC and for platinum-sensitive and platinum-resistant recurrent OC. These trials reported a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival but not in overall survival. Furthermore, BV effectively improved the quality of life with regard to abdominal symptoms in recurrent OC patients. Bevacizumab is associated with adverse events such as hypertension, bleeding, thromboembolism, proteinuria, delayed wound healing, and gastrointestinal events. However, most of these events can be adequately managed. This review describes the latest evidence for BV treatment of OC and selection of patients for personalized treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Oncology Unit, "ICOT," Latina, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Oncology Unit, "ICOT," Latina, Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Verrico
authors.affiliation: Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Oncology Unit, "ICOT," Latina, Italy.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zaccarelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Oncology Unit, "ICOT," Latina, Italy.
authors.forename: Anselmo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papa
authors.affiliation: Oncology Unit, Dono Svizzero Hospital, Formia, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colonna
authors.affiliation: Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Oncology Unit, "ICOT," Latina, Italy.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Strudel
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology 2, "Regina Elena" National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vici
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology A, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Policlinico "Umberto I", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bianco
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Policlinico "Umberto I", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tomao
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000068258:Bevacizumab
keywords: anti-angiogenic therapy; bevacizumab; biological therapy; chemotherapy; ovarian cancer