What does Avastin do for ovarian cancer?

Avastin ® (bevacizumab) 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.

Does Avastin prolong life in ovarian cancer?

In a clinical study, Avastin, when taken with carboplatin and paclitaxel (chemotherapy) followed by Avastin alone, was shown to extend the length of time people with advanced ovarian cancer lived without their tumors growing or spreading, compared with chemotherapy alone (18.2 months vs 12.0 months).

Why was Avastin taken off the market?

On November 18, 2011, the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) announced that breast cancer indication for Avastin (bevacizumab) had been withdrawn after concluding that the drug has not been shown to be safe and effective for the treatment of breast cancer.

What are the most common side effects of Avastin?

Common side effects of Avastin include:

  • dry mouth,
  • cough,
  • voice changes,
  • loss of appetite,
  • diarrhea,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • constipation,

How long does Avastin prolong life?

A second study that tested Avastin as initial therapy with radiation and the drug Temodar found it did not prolong life, but patients on Avastin went nearly five months longer before their tumors appeared to worsen.

How long can you stay on Avastin?

And you keep taking Avastin as long as your disease is controlled and your side effects are manageable, up to 22 cycles. By continuing to take Avastin, you may be able to continue to control your cancer.

Is Avastin a chemo?

Avastin isn’t a chemotherapy drug.) But for some types of cancer, Avastin is approved for use on its own. Avastin contains the drug bevacizumab. It’s a monoclonal antibody, which is a type of drug that’s made from immune system cells.

Does Avastin make you weak?

The following side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking avastin: Generalized Weakness. Pain. Abdominal pain.

Can Avastin cause death?

About 2.5% of people who took Avastin died from drug-related adverse events compared to 1.7% on standard chemotherapy.

How long does Avastin stay in your body?

Avastin can stay in your system for about 4 months after you stop using it. But its levels decrease steadily over that time. And how long it stays in your system doesn’t always affect how long side effects may last. Some of Avastin’s side effects may lessen while you continue Avastin treatment.

What happens if you stop taking Avastin?

If you stop Avastin, you should keep using birth control for 6 months before trying to become pregnant. Planning to become pregnant. Taking Avastin could cause a woman’s ovaries to stop working and may impair her ability to have children.