Avastin – Bevacizumab – Targeted Biologic Therapy - Description, Side Effects

What is Avastin?:

Avastin (bevacizumab) is a synthetic antibody that is used in combination with chemotherapy to treat metastatic colorectal, non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer and breast cancer. Avastin targets a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Avastin For Breast Cancer Treatment:

Avastin is used in combination with Taxol (paclitaxel) to treat metastatic breast cancer, to prevent progression of the disease and extend survival. One study showed that Avastin treatment can help patients live longer by halting or slowing the growth of their cancer. Patients gained 6 to 11 months of survival time when Avastin was added to their chemotherapy treatment. A previous study tried Xeloda (capecitabine) and Avastin, with no benefit for patients.

How Avastin Works:

A tumor needs nutrients and oxygen from blood in order to grow and spread. It can hijack your circulation in order to get its blood supply. During tumor angiogenesis, a tumor can secrete VEGF protein to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels, which will grow into, and nourish the tumor. Avastin seeks out VEGF proteins and binds to them, preventing the stimulation of new blood vessels, cutting off circulation to tumors. Without tumor angiogenesis, a tumor may grow more slowly, or stop growing altogether.

How Avastin Is Given:

Avastin is a clear liquid, usually colorless, but sometimes pale brown. This drug is given with a chemotherapy infusion (IV) every 14 days.

Some Common Side Effects of Avastin:

• High blood pressure
• Fatigue
• Mouth sores (mucositis)
• Blood clots (higher risk in elderly patients)
• Diarrhea
• Low white cell counts
• Headache
• Appetite loss

Serious Side Effects:

• Perforation of the colon, requiring surgical repair
• Difficulty healing from wounds
• Bleeding that results in stroke or possibly death
• Heart failure (in patients taking other cancer drugs which weaken the heart)
• Kidney damage

  Call Your Doctor if You Have These Symptoms:

  • Trouble with breathing
  • Abdominal pain
  • Constipation
  • Vomiting
  • Uncontrolled bleeding

  Who Should Not Take Avastin:

  If you have had surgery in the previous 28 days, you should not take Avastin. Since this drug can disrupt wound healing, all incisions must be completely healed before treatment can safely begin. Patients who have breast cancer that has spread to the brain should not take Avastin, because of possible uncontrolled bleeding.

  Drug Interactions:

  No formal studies of drug interactions with Avastin have been done, so it is not yet known if Avastin will interact badly with other medications.

  Recommendations During Treatment:

  • Have your blood pressure checked regularly to guard against high blood pressure
  • Have regular complete blood counts performed with special attention to white cell counts
  • Check urine for proteinuria (too much protein in your urine)
  • Clean and cover any cuts you may have, change dressings regularly
  • Do not breastfeed, it is not known how Avastin would affect an infant
  Self Care Tips While Taking Avastin:
  • Avoid sharp edges (prevent cuts and bruises)
  • Practice contraception, because Avastin can prevent circulatory development in a fetus

  _Sources:

  FDA. Drug Information. Questions and Answers on Avastin (bevacizumab). Updated: February 26, 2004.

  National Cancer Institute. Bevacizumab Combined With Chemotherapy Improves Progression-Free Survival for Patients With Advanced Breast Cancer. Updated: 06/16/2005.