[Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy of rectal carcinoma with bevacizumab]

Concomitant chemoradiotherapy and radical surgery are standard methods of treatment in patients with locally advanced rectal carcinoma. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with 5-fluorouracil or capecitabine is considered to be an optimal treatment approach. Clinical studies attempt to facilitate treatment response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy by adding targeted biological therapy. Anti-angiogenic effect of bevacizumab may potentiate radiosenzitivity. We present an overview of standard methods of treatment of rectal carcinoma and a summary of published results of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with bevacizumab in the treatment of rectal carcinoma. At present, this combination is not considered to be a standard procedure of neoadjuvant treatment in the Czech Republic. However, based on the results of forthcoming clinical studies, wider use of this concomitant chemobioradiotherapy in clinical practice can be expected, especially in the treatment of locally advanced stages of rectal carcinoma.