Is Avastin a cure for metastatic colorectal cancer?
Avastin will not cure metastatic colorectal cancer. In clinical trials there was longer survival and tumor control in patients who received the combination of IFL plus Avastin than among those who received IFL without Avastin. Overall, patients given Avastin survived about five months longer. In addition, the average time before tumors restarted growing or new tumors appeared was four months longer than patients who did not receive Avastin. MECHANISM This new monoclonal antibody is believed to work by targeting and inhibiting the function of a natural protein called “vascular endothelial growth factor” (VEGF) that stimulates new blood vessel formation. When VEGF is targeted and bound to Avastin, it cannot stimulate the growth of blood vessels, thus denying tumors blood, oxygen and other nutrients needed for growth. Angiogenesis inhibitors such as Avastin have been studied, first in the laboratory and then in patients, for three decades with the hope they might prevent the growth of can
