The main question of this study is if and when VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) expression in the tumor is upregulated during chemoradiation and if bevacizumab inhibits subsequent vessel growth in the tumor. * Therefore the first aim of this study is to identify the time point of induction of VEGF in the tumor tissue of esophagus carcinoma during chemoradiation (after 1,2,3 or 4 weeks of chemoradiation). * If we identify increased expression of VEGF at a certain time point, our second aim is to determine if we can inhibit the subsequent tumor vessel growth by administration of bevacizumab.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
40
patients will receive bevacizumab (3mg/kg/wk) starting from the identified induction time point of VEGF expression
VU university medical center
Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
RECRUITINGNoordwest Ziekenhuisgroep
Alkmaar, Netherlands
RECRUITINGAcademisch Medisch Centrum
Amsterdam, Netherlands
RECRUITINGChange of VEGF mRNA expression in tumor biopsies
To compare the VEGF mRNA expression in the pre-treatment and on-treatment tumor biopsies, to measure the change in VEGF expression from baseline.
Time frame: 5 weeks
Change of VEGFR2 phosphorylation with IHC
To determine the level of pVEGFR2 expression in tumor biopsies of patients that received bevacizumab, and to compare that to their pre-treatment expression levels, to identify the changes in expression from baseline.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Changes of mRNA expression of other pro-angiogenic factors
To identify the expression of other pro-angiogenic factors in the tumor, and to measure the changes from baseline expression (pre-treatment vs on-treatment biopsies).
Time frame: 5 weeks
Changes in protein expression of pro-angiogenic factors
To identify the protein expression of other pro-angiogenic factors in the tumor, and to measure the changes from baseline expression (pre-treatment vs on-treatment biopsies).
Time frame: 5 weeks
Changes in vascular parameters in the tumor tissue to asses ongoing angiogenesis
To identify the expression of CD31+ and pericyte markers with IHC staining in the tumor, and to measure the changes from baseline expression (pre-treatment vs on-treatment biopsies).
Time frame: 5 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.