Use of angioneogenesis inhibitor monoclonal antibody following standard therapy in recurrent or progressive glioblastoma multiforme

: Glioblastoma is a brain tumor with poor prognosis in the therapy of which operation, postoperative temozolomide sensitized radiochemotherapy followed by temozolomide monotherapy offer the best chances. Administration of temozolomide is also recommended in relapse if the patient is naive to this treatment. In recurrent or progressive glioblastoma following the above therapy, several biological therapeutic agents were tested, out of which the angiogenesis inhibitor bevacizumab has been approved by FDA (and similar authority of several other countries). Bevacizumab monotherapy resulted in objective tumor response in 28.2%, the median of progression-free survival was 4.2 (2.9-5.8) months, the median of overall survival was 9.2 (8.2-10.7) months. When combined with irinotecan, these results were 37.8%, 5.6 (4.4-6.2) and 8.7 (7.8-10.9) months, respectively. Adverse events were known from the use of bevacizumab in other indications, symptoms affecting the central nervous system were mild, i.e. the therapy proved to be not only effective but safe as well. Reduction of edema provided further advantage. In Hungary the product is available for "off-label" use only through a fairness request process.