Introduction: Advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer is still a challenge for clinicians as it has a poor prognosis despite treatment efforts. Thus, there is an urgent need for new agents with activity in this subset of patients. The increased knowledge of the molecular aspects of endometrial carcinogenesis has led to the development of molecular targeted therapies and in particular anti-angiogenic drugs. One of the most promising of these agents is bevacizumab , a recombinant humanized immunoglobulin monoclonal antibody to VEGF.
Areas covered: The objective of this paper is to discuss the role of angiogenesis in endometrial cancer and analyze the rational of bevacizumab use, alone or in combination with other therapies, in endometrial cancer patients. We reviewed the most important preclinical and clinical studies published on this topic up to March 2014.
Expert opinion: Bevacizumab in combination with others targeted therapies, chemotherapy or radiotherapy demonstrated promising anti-tumor activity. Despite the good oncological outcomes of these recent clinical experiences, caution must be used in light of significant toxicity reported in this subset of heavily pre-treated patients. The identification of biomarkers able to predict either the efficacy or toxicity of anti-angiogenic drugs is a compelling need.
Keywords: VEGF; anti-angiogenic therapy; bevacizumab; endometrial cancer.