Avastin® (bevacizumab)

Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warnings.

Genentech continues to study the mechanism of action of Avastin and role of VEGF and anti-VEGF therapy at various stages of tumor development. The mechanism of action of Avastin has been elucidated in preclinical studies.

1. Tumors release the VEGF protein causing nearby blood vessels to sprout new vessels — a process called angiogenesis. These blood vessels feed the growth of the tumor. They also provide a "highway" for tumor cells to spread to other parts of the body.1		2. Avastin is a therapeutic antibody that specifically binds to the VEGF protein — a potent source of angiogenesis.1
3. Avastin may block the tumor's ability to communicate with nearby blood vessels and may prevent the tumor from connecting to the blood supply.1		4. Studies have shown that targeting the VEGF protein with Avastin may interfere with a tumor's ability to grow.1

For information about the safety and efficacy results for Avastin including Boxed WARNINGS, please view Avastin Prescribing Information.

Avastin Indications Avastin, in combination with intravenous 5-fluorouracil based chemotherapy, is indicated for the first- or second-line treatment of patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum.

Avastin, in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel, is indicated for first-line treatment of patients with unresectable, locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic non-squamos, non-small cell lung cancer.

Important Safety Information The most serious adverse events associated with Avastin across all trials were GI perforation, wound healing complication, hemorrhage, non-GI fistula formation, arterial thromboembolic events, hypertensive crisis, reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome, neutropenia and infection, nephrotic syndrome, and congestive heart failure. The most common grade 3-5 (nonhematologic) and 4-5 (hematologic) events that may have occurred in Avastin indications (first-line NSCLC, first- and second-line mCRC) included neutropenia, fatigue, hypertension, infection, hemorrhage, asthenia, abdominal pain, pain, deep vein thrombosis, intra-abdominal thrombosis, syncope, diarrhea, constipation, leukopenia, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, ileus, neuropathy-sensory, neurologic-other, and headache.

References ¹ Ranieri G, Patruno R, Ruggieri E, Montemurro S, et al. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as a target of bevacizumab in cancer: from the biology to the clinic. Curr Med Chem. 2006; 13: 1845-1857