Bevacizumab
Bevacizumab is prescribed to treat certain types of cancer, including colon, rectal, and non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer. The drug binds to and inhibits a certain type of protein that encourages the growth of new blood vessels. As a result, the cancer is essentially "starved" of its blood supply. Bevacizumab is given by injection at your healthcare provider's office. Side effects can include stomach pain, diarrhea, and nausea.
Bevacizumab (
Avastin®) is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of the following conditions:
When used to treat these cancers, bevacizumab is always used in combination with certain chemotherapy medications.
Bevacizumab is made by Genentech, Inc.
How Does Bevacizumab Work?
Bevacizumab is part of a group of medications known as monoclonal antibodies. The drug is an antibody that is designed to bind to and inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF is a naturally occurring protein that encourages the growth of new blood vessels (including those that feed cancers). By binding to VEGF, bevacizumab prevents this protein from encouraging new blood vessel growth, essentially helping to "starve" the cancer of its blood supply. Because the drug does not directly kill cells, it is not considered a chemotherapy medication and does not cause many of the usual
chemotherapy side effects. However, it is approved only to be used in combination with chemotherapy.
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