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Avastin (bevacizumab)
Bevacizumab works by binding to VEGF-A, preventing it from promoting the growth of new blood vessels that feed tumors.
Bevacizumab, developed by Genentech, is a vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor that targets VEGF-A. It is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody that works by binding to VEGF-A, preventing its interaction with its receptor and thereby inhibiting angiogenesis. Bevacizumab is approved for various cancers, including cervical, breast, colon, and ovarian cancer. It has a half-life of 20 days and is still patented. Key safety considerations include hypertension, proteinuria, and gastrointestinal perforation.
At a glance
| Generic name | bevacizumab |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Roche |
| Drug class | Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Inhibitor [EPC] |
| Target | Vascular endothelial growth factor A |
| Modality | Monoclonal antibody |
| Therapeutic area | Oncology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
| First approval | 2004 |
| Annual revenue | 2100 |
Mechanism of action
Bevacizumab products bind VEGF and prevent the interaction of VEGF to its receptors (Flt-1 and KDR) on the surface of endothelial cells. The interaction of VEGF with its receptors leads to endothelial cell proliferation and new blood vessel formation in in vitro models of angiogenesis. Administration of bevacizumab to xenotransplant models of colon cancer in nude (athymic) mice caused reduction of microvascular growth and inhibition of metastatic disease progression.
Approved indications
- Carcinoma of cervix
- Glioblastoma multiforme
- Liver cell carcinoma
- Malignant epithelial tumor of ovary
- Malignant neoplasm of breast
- Malignant neoplasm of colon and/or rectum
- Malignant tumor of fallopian tube
- Malignant tumor of peritoneum
- Metastatic carcinoma to colon
- Metastatic renal cell carcinoma
- Non-small cell lung cancer with mutation in epidermal growth factor receptor
- Nonsquamous nonsmall cell neoplasm of lung
- Secondary malignant neoplasm of colon
Common side effects
- Leukopenia
- Diarrhea
- Neutropenia
- Fatigue
- Sensory neuropathy
- Hypertension
- Proteinuria
- Hemorrhage
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Intra-abdominal Thrombosis
- Abdominal pain
- Pneumonitis/pulmonary infiltrates
Key clinical trials
- Bevacizumab and Lomustine for Recurrent GBM (PHASE3)
- A Study to Evaluate Avastin in Combination With Standard Chemotherapy to Treat Colorectal Cancer (PHASE3)
- A Study to Evaluate Bevacizumab Alone or in Combination With Irinotecan for Treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme (BRAIN) (PHASE2)
- A Study of Avastin (Bevacizumab) Plus Crossover Fluoropyrimidine-Based Chemotherapy in Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. (PHASE3)
- Combination Chemotherapy With or Without Bevacizumab in Treating Patients Who Have Undergone Surgery for High Risk Stage II or Stage III Colon Cancer (PHASE3)
- Fluorouracil, Leucovorin, and Oxaliplatin With or Without Bevacizumab in Treating Patients Who Have Undergone Surgery for Stage II or Stage III Colon Cancer (PHASE3)
- Combination Chemotherapy With or Without Bevacizumab Compared With Bevacizumab Alone in Treating Patients With Advanced or Metastatic Colorectal Cancer That Has Been Previously Treated (PHASE3)
- A Study of Avastin (Bevacizumab) in Patients With Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (PHASE3)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| FDA label | Mechanism, indications, dosing, boxed warnings, drug interactions |
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
| SEC EDGAR | Revenue + earnings |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Avastin CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Avastin updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Roche portfolio CI