The search for biomarkers to direct antiangiogenic treatment in epithelial ovarian cancer

Molecular Characterization of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: Implications for Diagnosis and Treatment

“…However, recent studies investigating response to bevacizumab in molecularly-defined subgroups of women with ovarian cancer have provided initial support for the feasibility of such a molecularly-guided approach [89]. For example, an evaluation of the gene expression profiles of patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer enrolled on the phase III ICON7 trial of woman with advanced ovarian cancer receiving first-line chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab showed that the subgroup of patients with tumors characterized by angiogenic gene repression and immune gene upregulation who received bevacizumab had worse PFS and OS compared with those receiving chemotherapy alone, whereas a trend toward improved PFS with the addition of bevacizumab was seen in the subgroup of patients with tumors characterized by high expression of angiogenesis-related genes [90].…”

Antiangiogenic agents in gynecological cancer: State of art and perspectives of clinical research

“…Several biomarkers are currently investigated in order to select patients who are most likely to benefit from BEV addition [56]. Backen et al [57] analyzed blood samples collected before treatment in women enrolled in the ICON7 trial, using a validated multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] capable of measuring the concentrations of multiple angiogenesis-related factors.…”

Molecular staging of gynecological cancer: What is the future?

“…Like EC, these biomarkers are correlated with prognosis but they do not predict response to anti-angiogenic agents [72]…”

“…Multi-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors pazopanib and nintedanib showed modest improvement in PFS after primary OC maintenance therapy but are not approved for use because of lack of survival benefit [72]. Similarly, there is a modest benefit in PFS without improvement in OS in recurrent OC after treatment with trebananib (anti-angiopoietin 1/2) [72]. …”

“…The addition of bevacizumab to chemotherapy showed improved PFS in platinum-sensitive primary and recurrent OC [72]. In ICON7, the addition of bevacizumab to primary chemotherapy resulted in a modest improvement of PFS from 17.3 to 19 months in all patients and 10.5 to 15.9 months in high-risk patients with suboptimal debulking or stage IV disease.…”