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, No. 109 Xueyuan Xi Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027,China
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.
