Bevacizumab in Advanced Cervical Cancer: Issues and Challenges for Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Abstract

Bevacizumab became the first molecular antibody to show survival benefit in advanced cervical cancer. In the GOG-0240 (Paclitaxel and Cisplatin or Topotecan With or Without Bevacizumab in Treating Patients With Stage IVB, Recurrent, or Persistent Cervical Cancer) trial, it improved overall survival by a significant 3.7 months over platinum doublet chemotherapy alone. However, this discovery is not likely to improve the status of global cervical cancer because more than 85% of patients with cervical cancer live in low- and middle-income countries and cannot afford bevacizumab. This commentary looks at the options by which this drug can be made more affordable and cost-effective for patients in low- and middle-income countries. We also discuss other important questions related to its affordability and cost issues such as the optimal number of cycles and personalizing the treatment. Finally, we emphasize that although the unaffordability of bevacizumab in cervical cancer seems to be a very important issue, the best cost-effective strategy against cervical cancer is prevention with screening and vaccination.