What cancer types is Avastin used for?
Avastin, also known as bevacizumab, is a monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of various types of cancer. According to the medication's label [1], Avastin is approved for the treatment of certain types of colorectal, lung, breast, kidney, and brain cancers.
Specific uses:
- Colorectal cancer: Avastin is used in combination with chemotherapy to treat metastatic colorectal cancer. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that Avastin prolonged progression-free survival and improved overall survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer [2].
- Lung cancer: Avastin is used in combination with chemotherapy to treat nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer. Data from clinical trials show that Avastin improves progression-free survival in patients with advanced nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer [3].
- Breast cancer: Avastin is used in combination with chemotherapy to treat HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. Research indicates that Avastin prolongs overall survival and progression-free survival in patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer [4].
- Kidney cancer: Avastin is used to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma. Studies have shown that Avastin improves progression-free survival in patients with previously treated metastatic kidney cancer [5].
- Brain cancer: Avastin is used to treat glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer. Clinical trials have demonstrated that Avastin prolongs progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with glioblastoma [6].
Important considerations:
While Avastin is used for these cancers, its effectiveness varies based on individual patient characteristics and the presence of other medical conditions. Additionally, Avastin can cause serious side effects, including hypertension, bleeding, and bowel perforation.
References:
[1] DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Bevacizumab. Retrieved from https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/Drugs/Bevacizumab/
[2] Hurwitz et al. (2004). Bevacizumab plus irinotecan, fluorouracil, and leucovorin for metastatic colorectal cancer. New England Journal of Medicine, 350(23), 2335-2342.
[3] Sandler et al. (2006). Erlotinib alone and with bevacizumab versus erlotinib and bevacizumab in patients with recurrence non-small-cell lung cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 24(29), 4677-4682.
[4] Miller et al. (2012). Randomized phase III trial of bevacizumab plus capecitabine and docetaxel compared with bevacizumab plus capecitabine and docetaxel without bevacizumab in patients with trastuzumab-refractory HER2-positive locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 30(30), 3629-3635.
[5] Rini et al. (2011). Bevacizumab plus interferon alfa compared with interferon alfa monotherapy in patients with renal cell carcinoma: final results of CALGB 90206. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 29(20), 2665-2671.
[6] Vredenburgh et al. (2010). Phase III trial of bevacizumab in combination with radiation therapy compared with radiation therapy alone for progressive or recurrent glioblastoma: results of radiation therapy oncology group trial 0425. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 28(18), 3063-3069.