Systemic administration of bevacizumab increases the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with metastatic cancer

摘要

Bevacizumab, a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), is an anti-angiogenic agent used widely in the treatment of renal, colorectal, lung and breast cancers [1]. A limited number of studies have investigated the impact of systemic administration of bevacizumab on the cardiovascular system. A recent meta-analysis demonstrated an increase of the thrombotic events in patients receiving bevacizumab [2]. The exact pathway, however, through which bevacizumab provokes the thromboembolic events is not well determined, but several pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed [3-5]. We have previously shown in an experimental model that local administration of bevacizumab in atheromatic animals was safe, and inhibited the vessel wall neovascularization without affecting the endothelialization procedure [3,6].