What is Avastin?
Avastin (generic name, bevacizumab) is a drug that inhibits the growth of blood vessels to tumors. It has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat advanced colorectal cancer when combined with a chemotherapy drug. New research shows that Avastin, combined with Taxol (paclitaxel), works well in slowing the progression of metastatic breast cancer. This is good news for women with advanced breast cancer because these drugs are targeted therapies, and typically have fewer and milder side effects than traditional chemotherapy drugs.
Avastin is a therapeutic advance in the combination treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC). It is the only biologic agent, in combination with IV 5-FU–containing chemotherapy, clinically proven to extend survival in first- and second-line MCRC. Avastin is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a protein that has been identified as one of the most potent and predominant mediators of tumor angiogenesis.
Avastin (pronounced ah-va’-stin) is an innovative tumor-starving therapy designed to block the VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) protein that is produced by normal cells and overproduced by cancer cells. Avastin is approved by the FDA for first- or second-line treatment in combination with intravenous 5-FU–based chemotherapy to help fight MCRC. If you have been diagnosed with MCRC, then Avastin may be an option for you. Avastin is not chemotherapy and therefore works differently. Avastin is a tumor-starving therapy, because it starves the tumor of what it needs to grow and spread. Avastin works by blocking a protein called VEGF. This protein, VEGF, is produced by normal cells and overproduced by cancer cells. VEGF is important for the formation of blood vessels. Tumors rely on blood vessels to get the nutrients and oxygen they need to survive. By blocking VEGF, Avastin can starve your cancer of the food supply it needs to grow and spread. Blocking VEGF may be one way to fight y
