Dr. Rugo on Anti-Angiogenesis Therapy Response Predictors

Hope S. Rugo, MD, clinical professor, Department of Medicine (Hematology/Oncology); and Director, Breast Oncology Clinical Trials Program, University of California, San Francisco, discusses the need for further development and investigation into response and resistance predictors of anti-angiogenesis therapy in breast cancer.

Some agents that block angiogenesis, such as bevacizumab (Avastin), are known to have an effect but an adequate method of predicting resistance and which breast cancer tumors will respond still needs to be investigated.

Rugo explains that active trials are underway examining predictive factors such as the use of host genomics to predict toxicity and response. At this point due to the complicated nature of host genetics it may be better used as a predictor of toxicity rather than for efficacy. Many of these pharmacogenetics or polymorphisms of genes that were discovered in the ECOG 2100 trial examining metastatic breast cancer are now being investigated in the adjuvant trial ECOG 5103.