Avastin®

Understanding Avastin®
Avastin® (bevacizumab) is a prescription medicine indicated, in specific treatment settings and regimens, for certain patients with metastatic colorectal cancer; non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer; recurrent glioblastoma; metastatic renal cell carcinoma; cervical cancer; epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer; and hepatocellular carcinoma. Avastin® is not indicated for the adjuvant treatment of colon cancer. It is a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor administered by intravenous infusion after dilution. Bevacizumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal IgG1 antibody that binds VEGF and prevents VEGF from interacting with its receptors, Flt-1 and KDR, on the surface of endothelial cells. This inhibition reduces microvascular growth in preclinical models.

How Avastin® Works:

• Targets vascular endothelial growth factor: Avastin® contains bevacizumab, a recombinant humanized monoclonal IgG1 antibody that binds vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
• Blocks VEGF receptor interactions: By binding VEGF, bevacizumab prevents VEGF from interacting with its receptors, Flt-1 and KDR, on the surface of endothelial cells.
• Inhibits VEGF-mediated activity: The interaction of VEGF with its receptors leads to endothelial-cell proliferation and new blood-vessel formation in in vitro models of angiogenesis. Bevacizumab inhibits this interaction by binding VEGF.
• Demonstrates activity in preclinical models: In mouse xenotransplant models of colon cancer, administration of bevacizumab reduced microvascular growth and inhibited metastatic disease progression.

FDA Approval:

For more information, please visit the Avastin® patient website. Speak with your healthcare provider to determine if Avastin® is the right treatment option for you.