BLOOD PLASMA BIOMARKERS FOR BEVACIZUMAB COMBINATION THERAPIES FOR TREATMENT OF BREAST CANCER

The present invention provides methods for improving the treatment effect of a chemotherapy regimen of a patient suffering from HER2 positive breast cancer, in particular locally recurrent or metastatic HER2 positive breast cancer, by adding bevacizumab (Avastin®) to a chemotherapy regimen by determining the expression level, in particular the blood plasma expression level, of VEGFA and/or VEGFR2 relative to control levels of patients diagnosed with HER2 positive breast cancer, in particular locally recurrent or metastatic HER2 positive breast cancer. The present invention also provides for methods for assessing the sensitivity or responsiveness of a patient to bevacizumab (Avastin®) in combination with a chemotherapy regimen, by determining the expression level, in particular the blood plasma expression level, of VEGFA and/or VEGFR2 relative to control levels in patients diagnosed with HER2 positive breast cancer, in particular locally recurrent or metastatic HER2 positive breast cancer.