[Bevacizumab and non-small cell lung cancer: a new step?]

Rev Mal Respir. 2009 Feb;26(2):125-38. doi: 10.1016/s0761-8425(09)71590-6.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Inhibition of specific processes essential for tumour vascular development is one of the key strategies for the treatment of non- small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Many agents target the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) pathway, either by preventing VEGF receptor binding or inhibiting VEGF receptor signalling in endothelial cells. Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody specific for VEGF-A. Combination of bevacizumab with standard first-line chemotherapy in NSCLC leads to an improvement in response rates and progression-free survival compared to chemotherapy alone and a significant survival advantage with carboplatin- paclitaxel chemotherapy. Toxicity issues are of concern with the possible occurrence of hypertension and an increased risk of arterial thrombo-embolism. The occurrence of fatal pulmonary haemorrhage after necrosis of the primary tumour is a specific toxicity in NSCLC which requires appropriate selection of patients before treatment; excluding squamous cell carcinoma, haemorrhagic tumours and tumour invasion of major blood vessels. The use of bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy represent a first step in the development of antiangiogenic treatments in NSCLC, with the future possibility of using it in earlier stages of disease.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bevacizumab
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / blood supply
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Bevacizumab