Ascites predicts degree of treatment benefit of bevacizumab in front-line therapy of advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancers

Objectives: Bevacizumab with and following cytotoxic chemotherapy has been associated with improved progression-free survival (PFS) but not overall survival (OS) in the primary treatment of advanced ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancers. Factors predictive of long-term efficacy have remained elusive. Because malignant ascites has been associated with expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, we investigated the value of ascites as a predictor of efficacy for bevacizumab.