Does anti-VEGF bevacizumab improve survival in experimental sepsis?

Excerpt

In a previous issue of Critical Care, Jeong et al. reported a beneficial effect of bevacizumab (Bev), the first humanized vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-neutralizing antibody, on vascular permeability and mortality in a murine model of sepsis [1]. VEGF has been associated with mortality during sepsis [2], and the administration of its natural antagonist improved survival in experimental sepsis [3]. Jeong et al. demonstrated that Bev reduced mortality in sepsis induced either by cecal ligature puncture (CLP) or by endotoxemia. Despite promising experimental data, no other study has yet confirmed these results. A clinical study was planned to evaluate Bev administration in critically ill patients but it was withdrawn before enrolment (NCT01063010). …