The Benefits and Side Effects of Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Recurrent Ovarian Cancer.

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of deaths attributable to gynecologic malignancies. Late diagnosis and a high tendency of metastasis and drug resistance often lead to recurrence and poor outcomes. Anti-angiogenesis is considered a promising therapeutic strategy for recurrent ovarian cancers. Anti-VEGF body, bevacizumab, is an angiogenesis inhibitor with demonstrated activity and tolerable toxicity.

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the benefits and side effects of bevacizumab for the therapy of recurrent ovarian cancer.

METHODS

Reviewed the results of published clinical trials.

RESULTS

Recent Phase II studies indicated that bevacizumab monotherapy or in combination with conventional or other anti-angiogenic chemotherapy reagents could be effective for recurrent (platinum- sensitive and -resistant) ovarian cancers. Additionally, two phase III randomized trials reached similar conclusions that in either platinum-sensitive or -resistant ovarian cancers, adding bevacizumab to chemotherapy can improve progression-free survival. Despite the general recognition of bevacizumab as a well-tolerated drug in recurrent ovarian cancer patients, oncologists have become aware of the significant risks associated with gastrointestinal perforation.

CONCLUSION

Bevacizumab used alone or combined with other chemotherapy reagents is efficacious and tolerable in the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer.