temozolomide + bevacizumab

This combination therapy consists of temozolomide, an oral alkylating agent, and bevacizumab, a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits angiogenesis. Specifically evaluated in a Phase II clinical trial led by the Center for Neurosciences in Tucson, this regimen utilizes a bi-weekly dosing schedule of temozolomide (100 mg/m² on days 1-5 and 15-19) alongside bevacizumab (10 mg/kg on days 1 and 15) for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma multiforme and gliosarcoma. Temozolomide acts as a prodrug that delivers a methyl group to DNA, primarily at the O6 and N7 positions of guanine, triggering DNA damage and subsequent apoptosis in rapidly dividing tumor cells. Bevacizumab binds to and neutralizes vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), preventing its interaction with VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 receptors on endothelial cells, thereby inhibiting tumor vascularization and growth. The combination aims to leverage the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy with the anti-angiogenic properties of bevacizumab to improve progression-free survival in patients with high-grade gliomas.

Brand names

Temodar + Avastin

Other names

bi-weekly temozolomide plus bevacizumabTMZ + BEV