Bevacizumab for the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Until recently, advances in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) care have been limited; new chemotherapy regimens have not significantly impacted patient survival. With our improved understanding of tumor biology, novel biological therapies targeting key tumorigenic processes targeting factors essential for tumor growth, such as angiogenesis, have been developed that improve patient outcomes beyond those achieved with chemotherapy alone. One of these, bevacizumab (Avastin(R)), specifically targets VEGF, which is key to the malignant growth and progression of solid tumors. Bevacizumab-based therapy until progression significantly delays disease progression, has a well-characterized and acceptable safety profile in bevacizumab-eligible patients and was the first treatment to improve the overall survival of patients with advanced NSCLC beyond 1 year, a significant breakthrough in advanced NSCLC care. Furthermore, bevacizumab-based therapy significantly delays disease progression and has a well-characterized and acceptable safety profile. Based on these data, bevacizumab has received approval for the first-line treatment of NSCLC in the USA and Europe. A number of ongoing trials will potentially expand the eligible patient population for bevacizumab and further define its role in NSCLC treatment.