Traditionally the focus of systemic therapies in treating malignancies have been cytotoxics
that focus on impeding the cell cycle generally through direct DNA damage or other
elements associated with mitosis. This has, without doubt, been a successful strategy
enhancing the survival prospects for many patients. However, with modern sophisticated
facilities to investigate the intricacies of molecular events in malignant cells,
there has been a significant interest in the targeting of other cellular and indeed
extra-cellular targets to eliminate disease. An equally complex development is the
ability to utilise known genetic mutations as a way to induce cell death, specifically
PARP inhibitors, which are used in patients with known BRCA mutations and related
cancers. Thus the era of individualised and differing therapeutic approaches are upon
us. In this context one agent becoming increasingly used is the VEGF [vascular endothelial
growth factor] inhibitor bevacizumab. Bevacizumab, in terms of gynaecological malignancies,
has been administered for some years to selected patients with ovarian cancer but
more recently has been approved by the FDA for use in cervical cancer [
].
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References
- Clinical potential of bevacizumab in the treatment of metastatic and locally advanced cervical cancer: current evidence.Onco Targets Ther. 2014; 7: 751-759
- Vascular endothelial growth factor-C expression and its relationship to pelvic lymph node status in invasive cervical cancer.Br J Cancer. 2001; 85: 93-97
- Monk BJImproved survival with bevacizumab in advanced cervical cancer.N Engl J Med. 2014; 370: 734-743
Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 14, 2014
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© 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
