| Theme |
Chemotherapy for colorectal cancer : An Update |
| Title |
Bevacizumab combined chemotherapy |
| Author |
Mitsukuni Suenaga |
Department of Medical Oncology, The Cancer Institute Hospital of JFCR |
| Author |
Nobuyuki Mizunuma |
Department of Medical Oncology, The Cancer Institute Hospital of JFCR |
| Author |
Kiyohiko Hata |
Department of Medical Oncology, The Cancer Institute Hospital of JFCR |
| [ Summary ] |
Bevacizumab is a recombinant, humanized monoclonal antibody used to combat vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Bevacizumab was recently approved by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Japan for treatment of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) in combination with intravenous 5-FU-based chemotherapy. The combination of bev and chemotherapy for first-line and second-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer has been shown to improve survival rates in pivotal phase III trials in the US. In those studies bevacizumab was added to standard chemotherapy modalities such as IFL, or FOLFOX as a first line treatment, and FOLFOX4 as a second line treatment. However, we must note the higher rates of bevacizumab related adverse events such as hypertension, gastrointestinal perforation and arterial thrombosis. Thus, appropriate management of those adverse events and careful follow up are needed for treatment with bevacizumab. |