Anti-angiogenic therapies for metastatic colorectal, breast and lung cancer: benefits and risks
Wagner, A.D.; Zaman, K.; Peters, S.; Montemurro, M.; Leyvraz, S.
Revue Medicale Suisse 6(250): 1070-1073
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 1660-9379 PMID: 20564866 Document Number: 645550
Anti-angiogenic therapies have recently enriched the therapeutic armentarium against the most common cancers. Among these, bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor, is currently used most frequently. While the addition of bevacizumab to chemotherapy improves overall survival in first and second line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, its effect in metastatic breast cancer is limited to improvements in tumor response and progression-free-survival. In non-small-cell lung cancer, the positive results of a first American phase III study have not been confirmed by a second European study and are subject to controversies. A summary of the data concerning anti-angiogenic therapies in these three cancers is presented including safety information.