Bevacizumab in ovarian cancer therapy: current advances, clinical challenges, and emerging strategies
Mingyue Zhang, Jun Zhu, Yin Bao, Qiang Ao, Xiaoling Mao, Zhengzhou Qiu, Yiming Zhang, Yang Chen, Hong Zhu, Jun Gao
Abstract
Bevacizumab targets the vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway, inhibiting tumor angiogenesis and reshaping the tumor microenvironment, positioning it as a cornerstone in ovarian cancer management. Its mechanisms of action include blocking VEGF-A-induced endothelial cell proliferation, promoting vascular normalization, alleviating hypoxic conditions, and reversing immunosuppression. Key phase III clinical trials, including GOG-0218, AURELIA, and PAOLA-1, have demonstrated that Bevacizumab significantly extends progression-free survival in the maintenance treatment of newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer, platinum-sensitive or resistant recurrent disease, and HRD-positive patients, with a median PFS of up to 37.2 months. However, its impact on overall survival remains limited, and challenges such as drug resistance, treatment-related toxicities, and high costs persist. Future advancements will hinge on multidisciplinary innovation, including dual-targeting approaches such as VEGF/Ang-2 bispecific antibodies, combination immunotherapies, intelligent nanodrug delivery systems, and AI-driven dynamic biomarker stratification. The use of biosimilars and adaptive platform trials offers promise in reducing costs and improving accessibility. These technological innovations mark a shift in ovarian cancer treatment from traditional chemotherapy to precision medicine, presenting new opportunities to improve long-term patient survival.