Accumulating data suggests that angiogenesis plays a critical role in the formation and development of a number of solid tumors including ovarian cancer. For women with ovarian cancer, a direct relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and tumor vascularity has been documented. In vivo and in vitro data has demonstrated that increased angiogenesis and microvessel density are negative prognostic factors for women with ovarian cancer. These observations have fueled interest in incorporating anti-angiogenic agents into ovarian cancer treatment regimens.~Several phase II trials of irinotecan in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer showed that the drug had efficacy in both chemotherapy-naïve patients and in those who had been previously treated with standard therapies, including platinum-based compounds, radiation, or both. Combination of bevacizumab, an antibody against VEGF, and irinotecan was studied in colorectal cancer and malignant brain neoplasms. In these trials, the combination was shown to be safe and effective.~The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of irinotecan in the treatment of women with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer or primary peritoneal cancer when combined with bevacizumab. In this phase II open-label study patients will be treated with bevacizumab 15 mg/kg and irinotecan 175mg/m^2 every 3 weeks. Patients will undergo pre-treatment evaluation within 4 weeks of enrolling into the study. Clinical and laboratory evaluation will be performed every 3 weeks. Imaging studies and CA-125 measurements will be used to assess response to treatment.
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of irinotecan in the treatment of women with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer or primary peritoneal cancer when combined with bevacizumab.