Sign in Subscribe
Cancer research

Bevacizumab's Limited Success in Cancer Treatment Despite Promising Animal Models

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers have published a new study on the limitations of Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody used in cancer treatment. In the study, investigators highlighted the drug's failure to increase survival rates in humans, despite its impressive performance in animal models. The research suggested that Bevacizumab's limitations are due to drug resistance, metastasis promotion, and reduced delivery of chemotherapeutic agents resulting from a decrease in tumor vasculature.

Key Takeaways:

  • Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody, was humanized in 1997 to create Bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech), an antibody suitable for clinical trials.
  • In 2020, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved the first biosimilar of Bevacizumab for the treatment of multiple types of cancer.
  • The administration of Bevacizumab became popular among ophthalmologists for different ocular diseases.
  • However, in most cases of cancers, including breast, melanoma, pancreatic, and prostate cancer, Bevacizumab failed to increase survival.
  • Researchers attribute Bevacizumab's limitations to drug resistance, metastasis promotion, and reduced delivery of chemotherapeutic agents resulting from the dramatic decrease in tumor vasculature.
  • The study was published in Clinical and Experimental Medicine in 2025 and is available through Springer-verlag Italia Srl.

Statistics:

  • In 1997, the monoclonal antibody A4.6.1 was humanized to create Bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech).
  • In 2004, Bevacizumab was approved in a randomized double-blind phase III study.
  • The EMA approved the first biosimilar of Bevacizumab for the treatment of multiple types of cancer in 2020.
  • The study was published in Clinical and Experimental Medicine in 2025.

Sources:

  • "The discovery of Bevacizumab. An historical reappraisal." Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 2025;25(1):315.
  • Clinical and Experimental Medicine can be contacted at: Springer-verlag Italia Srl, Via Decembrio, 28, Milan, 20137, Italy.
  • NewsRx. Researchers at University of Bari Report Findings in Cancer (The discovery of Bevacizumab. An historical reappraisal). Immunotherapy Weekly. October 29, 2025; p 2017.

Read more