Antiangiogenic therapies in ovarian cancer

SummaryAngiogenesis plays a  pivotal role in normal ovarian physiology as well as in the formation and progression of ovarian cancer. Several well-designed phase II and III trials studied the efficacy of antiangiogenic agents in advanced ovarian cancer. The results of these trials demonstrated significa ntly prolonged progression-free survival when antiangiogenic agents were used as a maintenance therapy. To date, no effect on overall survival could be ascertained. The most widely studied antiangiogenic agent, bevacizumab – a monoclonal humanized antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor – was effective in all phases of the disease (first-line therapy, platinum-sensitive and platinum-resistant recurrence). These results led to regulatory approval in many countries including the European Union. Other anti-VEGF agents such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors have not shown increased activity but increased toxicity relative to bevacizumab. Agents targeting angiopoietin-1 and -2 are in development and new combinations with PARP inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors are studied. This review summarize s the current data and knowledge on the clinical use of antiangiogenic agents in advanced ovarian cancer.
Source: Memo - Magazine of European Medical Oncology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research