Bevacizumab (Avastin) for MesotheliomaBevacizumab, marketed as Avastin, belongs to a class of chemotherapeutic drugs known as monoclonal antibody and anti-angiogenesis. Bevacizumab is a cancer drug that is primarily used to treat patients suffering from advanced bowel or colon cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. The drug may also be used during the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer and advanced breast cancer. Research is also on to see the use and benefits of using Avastin in treating cancer of the kidney and breast and bowel cancer in early stages. History of BevacizumabBevacizumab is an angiogenesis inhibitor that has been developed based on a hypothesis of angiogenesis action published by Judah Folkman, M.D., Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass in the year 1971. The drug was approved for use in combination with standard chemotherapy to treat metastatic bowel cancer and almost all forms of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the year 2004. Going against the recommendations of the advisory panel, FDA also approved the drug to be used in treating breast cancer. At present, there are several clinical studies on to find out the benefits and safety of using Bevacizumab many different types of cancers including:
In the U.S. Bevacizumab is developed and marketed by Genentech. In other countries, this is done by Roche, which is the parent company of Genentech. How Bevacizumab is AdministeredBevacizumab is given intravenously (IV), which means the medicine is infused into a vein using a needle. The first dose of the drug is given for around 90 minutes. Depending on how well it is tolerated, the infusion time can eventually be reduced to 30 minutes. There are many factors that are used to determine the amount of Bevacizumab being given. This includes patient’s height and weight, general health, and the type of cancer or its condition for which the treatment is given. Working of BevacizumabMonoclonal antibodies are used to perform targeted cancer therapy. Naturally, antibodies are created when an antigen, such as a protein within a germ, enters your body. Antibodies mark these antigens for destruction by your body’s immune system. To develop monoclonal antibodies—the antibodies that target specific antigens—scientists analyze specific antigens on the surface of the cancer cells to find out the protein that matches this particular antigen. After this is done, scientists use animal or human proteins to develop antibodies that can attach to these antigens to mark them. Targeted cancer treatments with the help of monoclonal antibodies helps in reducing toxicity to healthy cells in the body. When Bevacizumab is administered on a patient, it targets and inhibits the growth of human Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) by interfering with the process of angiogenesis. VEGF is a small protein known as cytokine, which is released by cells that have particular types of effects on cell behavior. When VEGF interacts with its receptors in the cell it causes formation of new blood vessels or angiogenesis. Side Effects of BevacizumabGeneral weakness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, nausea and vomiting, upper respiratory tract infection, low WBC (white blood cell) count, and mouth sores are some of the common side effects of Bevacizumab that are reported by around 30% of patients. High blood pressure, weight loss, shortness of breath, dizziness, and muscle aches and pains are some of the less common side effects that may occur in around 10-29% of patients receiving Bevacizumab treatments. Bevacizumab therapy can also cause some rare but serious complications in patients. These include:
Not all patients who get Bevacizumab treatment suffer from all the side effects listed here. Side effects are usually non-permanent and most of times go away after the treatment is complete. The onset and duration of these side-effects are usually predictable and there are methods available that can help in minimizing and preventing them. Lastly, the severity or presence of these side-effects has no relationship with the effectiveness of the treatment being given to you. You must immediately contact your doctor in case you have 100.5º F (38º C) or higher fever, chills, shortness of breath, or severe bleeding. CostOne of the main drawbacks of Bevacizumab is its cost. It is one of the most expensive drugs today. Its high cost has been widely criticized by doctors mainly because the drug does not actually cures cancer but prolongs life. Quite a few insurance companies in the U.S. are known to have refused
to pay for all or a portion of Bevacizumab costs. High costs have
also led the health care system in Canada and the U.K. to restrict
the usage of Bevacizumab in cancer treatments. Genentech, however,
argues that the benefits offered by the drug are worth the cost and
that these high costs helps pay for expensive and risky research to
develop new drugs.
If you have mesothelioma, we might be able to help you. Fill out this form. This website is sponsored by Jonathan David* of The
David Law Firm. The David Law Firm is located in The Woodlands, Texas
(Greater Houston Area) and can be reached toll free at 1-800-998-9729
for more information on mesothelioma. Jonathan David is not a medical
doctor. The information on these pages is for the education of mesothelioma
patients and their families regarding potential medical and legal
options. Patients are advised to consult with a medical doctor.
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use of chemotherapy in patients with advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma:
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