Dr. Konner on Bevacizumab in Ovarian Cancer

Jason A. Konner, MD, Gynecologic Medical Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, explains that one of the main drivers behind research into bevacizumab (Avastin) for patients with ovarian cancer is to identify which patients will benefit the most from the treatment.

Konner believes that a clear benefit is evident to physicians who are currently using bevacizumab in recurrent ovarian cancer. However, at this point biomarkers are not available to identify which patients will benefit the most before initiating treatment.

In addition to a need for biomarkers, subgroups should be identified to help select appropriate patients. As an example, Konner describes that a high-risk group of patients with ovarian cancer from the European ICON7 trial seemed to show a greater survival benefit from treatment with bevacizumab. At this point, however, data from the ICON7 trial is still premature.

Finally, Konner notes that combinations of novel emerging antiangiogenic agents with bevacizumab may also result in a more efficacious treatment.