Targeted – biological treatment of ovarian cancer

Czech version

Authors: J. Chovanec
Authors‘ workplace: Oddělení gynekologické onkologie, Masarykův onkologický ústav Brno
Published in: Prakt Gyn 2011; 15(3-4): 158-161
Category: Review Article

Overview

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the second most common gynaecological malignancy and it is the gynaecological malignancy with the highest morbidity. Primary treatment for this cancer consists of surgical cytoreduction and platinum-based chemotherapy. The majority of women with advanced disease, even those who achieve complete remission, eventually experience relapse. A variety of emerging agents with novel targets are currently under development for ovarian cancer. Several of these agents target angiogenesis – a process of new blood vessel and lymphatic cell development. Angiogenesis is critical to the growth and progression of solid tumours. In recent years, many specific new inhibitors of angiogenesis have been developed. This, so called, targeted therapy uses monoclonal antibodies or other substances to identify and attack specific cancer cells. Vascular endothelial growth factor appears to be the most promising target. Bevacizumab represents a great progress in targeted therapy of ovarian cancer. Targeted biological therapy is currently the most active area of cancer treatment research.

Key words:
ovarian cancer – targeted therapy – bevacizumab – inhibitors of tyrosinkinases

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