Avastin and Malignant Gliomas: Is there a Role?

Bevacizumab is the first new drug approved for malignant glioma in a decade and demonstrates the potential for antiangiogenic therapy in the management of these patients. It has demonstrated improved radiographic response and progression free survival rates compared to historical controls as monotherapy. Bevacizumab has also been shown to improve patient symptoms of disease and decrease steroid requirements contributing to improved quality of life for glioma patients. Optimal combinations with other standard and targeted therapies are under investigation, as well as new imaging techniques to evaluate response to therapy, motivated in part by concerns over suspected increase potential for tumor invasion.