Targeted Therapy for Cervical Cancer

As researchers have learned more about the changes in cancer cells, they have been able to develop drugs that specifically target these changes. These targeted drugs work differently from standard chemotherapy (chemo) drugs and often have different side effects.

Drugs that target blood vessel formation

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a protein that helps tumors form new blood vessels (a process known as angiogenesis) to get nutrients they need to grow. Some targeted drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors stop VEGF from working and block this new blood vessel growth.

Bevacizumab (Avastin^®) is an angiogenesis inhibitor that can be used to treat advanced cervical cancer. It is a monoclonal antibody (a man-made version of a specific immune system protein) that targets VEGF.

This drug is often used with chemo for a time. Then, if the cancer responds, the chemo may be stopped and the bevacizumab given by itself until the cancer starts growing again.

Possible side effects of drugs that target VEGF

The possible side effects of this drug are different from those of chemotherapy drugs. Some of the more common side effects can include:

• High blood pressure
• Feeling tired
• Nausea

Less common but more serious side effects can include:

• Problems with bleeding
• Blood clots
• Wound healing
• Heart failure or a heart attack

Other rare but serious side effects are the formation of an abnormal opening (called a fistula) between the vagina and part of the colon or intestine or the formation of a hole in the bowel.

To learn more about how targeted drugs work to treat cancer, see Targeted Cancer Therapy.

To learn about some of the side effects listed here and how to manage them, see Managing Cancer-related Side Effects.