TY - JOUR
T1 - Current knowledge and open issues regarding Bevacizumab in gynaecological neoplasms
AU - Bellati, Filippo
AU - Napoletano, Chiara
AU - Gasparri, Maria Luisa
AU - Ruscito, Ilary
AU - Marchetti, Claudia
AU - Pignata, Sandro
AU - Tomao, Federica
AU - Benedetti Panici, Pierluigi
AU - Nuti, Marianna
PY - 2012/7
Y1 - 2012/7
N2 - In the last fifty years the combining of different drugs has progressively improved response and survival rates in gynaecological malignancies. Results are, however, far from being satisfactory. Treatments used in cases of advanced or recurrent disease offer limited results in terms of long-term responses and the urgent need for new drugs has prompted researchers to investigate and propose new therapeutic modalities. One of the most important avenues that are being explored is represented by monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) directed against Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF).Several antibodies against this target are now available and Bevacizumab appears to be one of the most promising agents. VEGF has been confirmed as an important therapeutic target in several clinical trials and in multiple disease settings, including gynaecological cancers, for its biological and clinical significance in tumour angiogenesis. The binding and blocking of VEGF growth factor is the basis of tumour growth inhibition, since angiogenesis is essential in the process of tumour growth and progression. Several clinical trials have utilized this agent successfully, either alone or in combination with other drugs. Despite initial concerns, adverse reactions have not been significant with side effects being more tolerable than those associated to conventional chemotherapy. Furthermore, the limited toxicity profile of this, as well as other target therapies, allows it to be combined with cytotoxic drugs without the requirement for a significant dose reduction of the latter. This review outlines the rationale for studying this anti-angiogenetic compound, summarizing the existing and emerging clinical evidence related to the use of Bevacizumab in the treatment of gynaecological malignancies, focusing on its potential benefits and adverse effects.
AB - In the last fifty years the combining of different drugs has progressively improved response and survival rates in gynaecological malignancies. Results are, however, far from being satisfactory. Treatments used in cases of advanced or recurrent disease offer limited results in terms of long-term responses and the urgent need for new drugs has prompted researchers to investigate and propose new therapeutic modalities. One of the most important avenues that are being explored is represented by monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) directed against Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF).Several antibodies against this target are now available and Bevacizumab appears to be one of the most promising agents. VEGF has been confirmed as an important therapeutic target in several clinical trials and in multiple disease settings, including gynaecological cancers, for its biological and clinical significance in tumour angiogenesis. The binding and blocking of VEGF growth factor is the basis of tumour growth inhibition, since angiogenesis is essential in the process of tumour growth and progression. Several clinical trials have utilized this agent successfully, either alone or in combination with other drugs. Despite initial concerns, adverse reactions have not been significant with side effects being more tolerable than those associated to conventional chemotherapy. Furthermore, the limited toxicity profile of this, as well as other target therapies, allows it to be combined with cytotoxic drugs without the requirement for a significant dose reduction of the latter. This review outlines the rationale for studying this anti-angiogenetic compound, summarizing the existing and emerging clinical evidence related to the use of Bevacizumab in the treatment of gynaecological malignancies, focusing on its potential benefits and adverse effects.
KW - Angiogenesis
KW - Bevacizumab
KW - Cervical cancer
KW - Chemotherapy
KW - Gynaecological cancer
KW - Ovarian cancer
KW - Target therapy
KW - VEGF
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84862127138&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84862127138&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2011.09.006
DO - 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2011.09.006
M3 - Article
C2 - 22056314
AN - SCOPUS:84862127138
VL - 83
SP - 35
EP - 46
JO - Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology
JF - Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology
SN - 1040-8428
IS - 1
ER -