[Anti-VEGF therapy for lung cancer]

Bevacizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that specifically targets vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and thereby prevents its interaction with the VEGF receptor. First line treatment with bevacizumab plus platinum-doublet and maintenance monotherapy with bevacizumab until disease progression has been shown to be effective in patients with non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer. Two phase III trials have shown that the addition of bevacizumab to chemotherapy significantly increased progression-free survival and response rate. However, results in overall survival remain controversial. Bevacizumab's safety profile is well established. The risk of severe toxicity may be increased in elderly patients. The risks and benefits should be discussed with patients before decision making. Studies of combined therapy with pemetrexed, and bevacizumab beyond progression, are ongoing.