Bevacizumab in the treatment of ovarian cancer

Abstract

Current treatment for epithelial ovarian cancer involves a combination of surgery and chemotherapy with platinum- and taxane-based chemotherapy. With the recent approval of the anti-VEGF antibody bevacizumab by several regulatory bodies in colorectal and non-small-cell lung cancers, interest has developed regarding the potential role of bevacizumab therapy in ovarian cancer. Several case series and Phase II studies indicate that in ovarian cancer bevacizumab is active as a single agent or in combination with other drugs. Currently, ongoing Phase III trials are testing bevacizumab in front-line adjuvant therapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel. Bevacizumab has been generally well tolerated in ovarian cancer patients, but recent reports on increased risk of gastrointestinal perforations have gained attention. Bevacizumab offers a novel therapeutic modality in the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancers.