No abstract

Cervical cancer constitutes a leading cause of morbidity and cancer deaths in women throughout the world. Approximately two thirds of the patients are diagnosed with locally advanced cervical cancer, showing disappointing survival rates despite correct multidisciplinary management. Metastatic disease implies a poor prognosis itself since diagnosis. Platinum-based chemotherapy has been the backbone treatment of metastatic cervical cancer for years with no major outstanding improvements on survival. The addition of new molecules, such as antiangiogenic agents, dramatically changed the treatment of this disease. Bevacizumab, an antiangiogenic agent that targets vascular endothelial growth factor 2 (VEGF-2), added to standard chemotherapy in cervical cancer showed significant improvement on survival; therefore, the combination of carboplatin, paclitaxel, and bevacizumab is currently the standard frontline treatment in cervical cancer. Other antiangiogenic agents have been tested in this disease with no further development nor approvals. New compounds are currently being under development with promising results in this disease as well as a number of new strategies that could potentially fulfill the unmet need of establishing effective therapeutic approaches in cervical cancer.

No abstract

Treatment options for relapsed ovarian cancer have increased over the decade with the addition of targeted agents, such as PARP inhibitors and antiangiogenic agents. Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody binding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), was the first anti-angiogenic agent to be incorporated in the ovarian cancer treatment landscape. Other molecules utilising different mechanisms of action to target angiogenesis have been developed, including cediranib, an oral potent inhibitor of VEGF Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor that has demonstrated activity in both phase II and phase III studies. Areas covered: Herein we will review cediranib as well as the evidence for its use in ovarian cancer, both as monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy, PARP inhibitors and immunotherapy. A literature search was made in PubMed and on ClinicalTrials.gov for clinical trials with cediranib. Expert opinion: The addition of cediranib for the treatment of ovarian cancer is promising, and has demonstrated a significant improvement in progression free survival in a phase III trial in combination with chemotherapy and maintenance treatment. Cediranib is currently being explored in ovarian cancer and other gynaecological malignancies aiming to improve patient care; further research will help define its role in standard clinical practice for patients with ovarian cancer.