Title:The Benefits and Side Effects of Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Recurrent Ovarian Cancer
VOLUME: 18 ISSUE: 10
Author(s):Wenwen Zhang, Zhaojun Shen, Hui Luo, Xiaoli Hu, Lihong Zheng and Xueqiong Zhu*
Affiliation:Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, No. 109 Xueyuan Xi Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027
Keywords:Bevacizumab, chemotherapy, efficacy, ovarian cancer, recurrent, safety, chemotherapy.
Abstract: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.