The role of bevacizumab (trade name: Avastin) for advanced ovarian cancer continues to evolve. A preliminary report of Gynecologic Oncology Group study #128, presented at the 2010 ASCO meeting, showed a better cure rate for the addition of bevacizumab to first-line paclitaxel and carboplatin in women with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. A more recent study of bevacizumab (ICON7) trial which was presented at the 2011 ASCO meeting also showed an increase interval of progression free survival (time interval between stopping initial chemo to the time when the cancer recurs again). However, bevacizumab did not alter the cure rate. These data support the practice that bevacizumab can be used in the front line therapy (i.e., the chemo treatment after the initial ovarian cancer surgery) However, it is not yet the standard of care.
As a patient, you should discuss with your oncologist of the risks and benefits of using bevacizumab in your cancer treatment. Because of the high cost, some insurance companies may put some hurdles on allowing this chemo. However, I found that when both patient and oncologist work together to call the insurance companies, as well as providing with the appropriate literature, I have been successful in getting most of patients this chemotherapy.
REFERENCE:
Kristensen G, et al. Result of interim analysis of overall survival in the GCIG ICON7 phase III randomized trial of bevacizumab in women with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer (abstract LBA5006). J Clin Oncol 2011; 29:781s.
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