Bevacizumab Plus Fosbretabulin Improves Progression-Free Survival in Ovarian Cancer Patients

The combination of the antiangiogenesis drug bevacizumab and the vascular-disrupting agent fosbretabulin is superior to bevacizumab alone in the treatment of recurrent ovarian, tubal, and peritoneal cancer, according to an oral presentation made at the biennial meeting of the International Gynecologic Cancer Society. A study found significant improvement in progression-free survival among patients treated with the combination of bevacizumab and fosbretabulin versus bevacizumab alone, with a median improvement of 2.5 months.

FDA Approves Avastin Plus Chemotherapy to Treat Women With Platinum-Resistant Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

November 14, 2014, the Food and Drug Administration announced the approval of Genentech’s Avastin (bevacizumab) in combination with chemotherapy for women with platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer.

The approval was based on the results of a Phase III clinical trial which showed women who received Avastin with chemotherapy had a 62% improvement in progression free survival (disease worsening) as compared to those who received chemotherapy alone.

Robotic Surgery Report Card

A study found that robotic surgery for benign gynecologic procedures had a higher rate of complication than conventional surgery, and was more costly.

Intraperitoneal chemotherapy in ovarian cancer

Long-term findings from two randomized trials demonstrated that intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy significantly improved survival compared with intravenous (IV) therapy. The combined analysis of the GOG-172 and GOG-114 trials showed that patients treated with IP chemotherapy experienced a 16% reduction in the risk of progression compared with IV therapy. Additionally, IP chemotherapy led to a median overall survival (OS) of 62 months compared with 51 months for IV therapy.