Avastin (bevacizumab)

Avastin® (bevacizumab) is a tumor-starving (anti-angiogenic) therapy. Avastin is designed to block a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF. Normal cells make VEGF, but some cancer cells make too much VEGF. Blocking VEGF may prevent the growth of new blood vessels, including normal blood vessels and blood vessels that feed tumors.

Unlike chemotherapy that attacks the cancer cells, the purpose of Avastin is to block the blood supply that feeds the tumor. This can stop the tumor from growing.1

In Bangladesh Avastin is approved for the following indications.2

• Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC)

Avastin in combination with fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy is indicated for treatment of patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum.

• Locally Recurrent or Metastatic Breast Cancer (mBC)

Avastin in combination with standard cytotoxic chemotherapy is indicated for first-line treatment of patients with locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer.

Avastin in combination with taxanes, capecitabine or gemcitabine, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer after failure of first-line cytotoxic chemotherapy.

• Advanced, Metastatic or Recurrent Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Avastin, in addition to platinum-based chemotherapy, is indicated for first-line treatment of patients with unresectable advanced, metastatic or recurrent non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer.

Avastin, in combination with erlotinib, is indicated for first-line treatment of patients with unresectable advanced, metastatic or recurrent non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) activating mutations.

• Advanced and/or Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer (mRCC)

Avastin in combination with interferon alfa-2a is indicated for first-line treatment of patients with advanced and/or metastatic renal cell cancer.

• Malignant Glioma (WHO Grade IV) - Glioblastoma

Avastin in combination with radiotherapy and temozolomide is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

Avastin, as a single agent, or in combination with irinotecan, is indicated for the treatment of patients with glioblastoma after relapse or disease progression.

• Epithelial Ovarian, Fallopian Tube and Primary Peritoneal Cancer

Avastin, in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel is indicated for the front-line treatment of epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer.

Avastin, in combination with carboplatin and gemcitabine is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent, platinum-sensitive, epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer.

Avastin in combination with paclitaxel, topotecan or pegylated liposomal doxorubicin is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent, platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who received no more than two prior chemotherapy regimens.

• Cervical Cancer

Avastin in combination with paclitaxel and cisplatin or paclitaxel and topotecan is indicated for the treatment of persistent, recurrent, or metastatic carcinoma of the cervix.

For more disease and medicine related queries you may discuss with your physician.

In Bangladesh Avastin is available as

Vial 400 mg/16 ml

Vial 100 mg/4 ml

References

1. How is Avastin designed to work? [Internet; cited 2018, November 08]. Retrieved from https://www.avastin.com/patient/mcrc/about/how-avastin-works.html

2. Avastin-Product-Information-BD-Ro-487-6646-October-2022