The document discusses a clinical trial called GOG 218 that evaluated the use of the drug bevacizumab for the primary treatment of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. The trial found that patients who received bevacizumab plus chemotherapy had a 3 month improvement in progression-free survival compared to those who received chemotherapy alone. Bevacizumab is the first molecular targeted therapy and anti-angiogenic agent to demonstrate a benefit in upfront treatment of ovarian cancer. While survival was not yet improved, the trial provides support for further research evaluating bevacizumab and other targeted agents to improve outcomes for ovarian cancer patients.

1. Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: Bevacizumab and GOG 218 Mildred R. Chernofsky, MD Associate Clinical Professor Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology George Washington University Sibley Center for Gynecologic Oncology and Advanced Pelvic Surgery 29 September 2010

5. Tumor Debulking Optimal tumor debulking confers an 11 month median survival advantage over the median survival of suboptimal patients

9. Can we make survival better in ovarian cancer ? Is the answer biologics?

12. Eskens FA and Verweij J. The clinical toxicity profile of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) targeting angiogenesis inhibitors; A review. Eur J Cancer 2006; 42: 3127-3139. Blood vessel formation

15. Frumovitz F and Sood AK. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway as a therapeutic target in gynecologic malignancies. Gynecol Oncol 2007; 104:768-778. Bevacizumab in Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

18. GOG 218: Phase III Trial of Bevacizumab in the Primary Treatment of Advanced Epithelial Ovarian, Primary Peritoneal, or Fallopian Tube Cancer: A Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) Study Slide courtesy of the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) and provided by Dr. Robert A. Burger, ASCO 2010