Avastin Improves Ovarian Cancer Treatment

---

---

A new study appearing in International Journal of Gynecological Cancer states that Bevacizumab, a biologic anti-cancer agent that prevents tumor growth by interfering with the formation of new blood vessels, may have the potential to improve the efficacy of standard combination chemotherapy in ovary cancer.

Ovary cancer is the fifth most common cancer in women, accounting for nearly 14,000 deaths annually in the United States. Despite the use of chemotherapy therapy, nearly 70 percent of all ovary cancer patients will eventually succumb to their disease. Consequently, studies have continued to investigate the activity of novel medications in combination with standard treatment to improve overall and disease-free survival in ovary cancer patients.

Bevacizumab has been studied clinically and was recently approved as a therapy for metastatic colon cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Currently, Bevacizumab is also being studied as a therapy to improve patient survival rates for breast and kidney cancers. Since Bevacizumab has a unique mechanism of action and a favorable safety profile, the medicine is not linked to unreasonable levels of toxicity. However, prior studies have reported that gastro-intestinal perforations and high blood pressure may be a consequence of therapy involving Bevacizumab. "The results from our research suggest that the combination of Bevacizumab and standard treatment for the therapy of ovary cancer may be promising, especially with regard to safety and efficacy," says Dr. Bram Goldstein, co-author of the study.


Posted by: Emily    Source