Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known to stimulate the process of angiogenesis; the humanised monoclonal antibody bevacizumab ['Avastin'] is one of the first agents designed to block the actions of VEGF in order to prevent malignant tumour growth. Preclinical data have shown that combining bevacizumab with standard chemotherapy agents including paclitaxel, fluorouracil and capecitabine enhances their anticancer efficacy. The bevacizumab-chemotherapy combination is currently being evaluated in treatment of several cancers including metastatic and inflammatory breast cancers, mesothelioma, colorectal, ovarian and renal cell carcinoma, among others. Results from a phase III study of bevacizumab in combination with capecitabine in patients with advanced breast cancer were presented at the 25th annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium [San Antonio, US; December 2002].Although the primary endpoint, the time to disease progression, was not significantly improved, the bevacizumab/capecitabine combination did increase the response rate. This points to a proof-of-principle for combining antiangiogenesis therapy with chemotherapy in advanced breast cancer treatment, said Dr Kathy Miller from Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, US. Another study presented at the meeting suggested possible benefits in combining bevacizumab with vinorelbine.