Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody bevacizumab in conjunction with chemotherapy in metastasising melanoma.[Erratum appears in J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2013 Aug;52(8):1034]

Abstract

PURPOSE: The combination of the antiangiogenic antibody bevacizumab with standard chemotherapy has improved the prognosis in patients with metastastic colorectal cancer and other advanced cancers. The role of combined anti-VEGF and chemotherapy in metastastic melanoma is just starting to be elucidated. METHODS: We tested this notion in three patients with advanced and therapy-refractory melanoma. RESULTS: Interestingly, two patients achieved objective regressions after three courses of therapy; the third patient, albeit progressing demonstrated a pronounced liquid necrosis in bulky lymphnode metastasis. CONCLUSION: Further studies are warranted to scrutinize these impressive therapeutic effects on the combination of bevacizumab and chemotherapy in melanoma.