Clinical Medicine Reviews in Oncology

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary intrinsic brain tumor in adults. Patients diagnosed with GBM have a median survival of approximately 15 months. Contributing to this poor prognosis is the high recurrence rate of tumors following initial treatment with surgical resection, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Numerous therapies for recurrent GBM have been proposed, but their safety and efficacy have yet to be demonstrated in definitive clinical trials. Among the more promising treatments, however, is bevacizumab, a humanized mouse monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) Bevacizumab has antiangiogenic activity and can cause dramatic improvements in tumor size and peritumoral edema as determined by contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. The following is a review of the basic science, translational and clinical studies that have rendered bevacizumab one of the current treatment options for recurrent GBM. Also discussed are the still unanswered questions regarding the use of bevacizumab for this disease.