About Avastin

What is Avastin?

Avastin (pronounced ah-va´-stin) is the first in an innovative class of drugs used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is called an anti-angiogenic agent, and it is different from other agents used to treat this type of cancer. Although Avastin is not chemotherapy, you will receive it at the same time that you get your chemotherapy treatment.*

Avastin has been approved by the FDA in combination with a specific type of chemotherapy* (carboplatin and paclitaxel) for patients newly diagnosed with a specific type of NSCLC (unresectable, locally advanced, recurrent, or metastatic non-squamous, NSCLC).

Avastin does have possible side effects. In clinical trials, some people receiving Avastin in combination with chemotherapy experienced serious side effects. To learn more about the possible side effects of Avastin, please see the Side Effects section of the site.

It's important to discuss possible treatment benefits and risks with your doctor and to have realistic expectations of Avastin therapy.

  • *Treatment with Avastin must begin in combination with chemotherapy. However, if the chemotherapy must be changed or stopped, Avastin may be continued alone for as long as your doctor recommends treatment.

Diagram of the lungs and bronchi

NSCLC usually begins as a small cluster of cells that grows
in the lining of the bronchi—tubes that carry air—or in other
parts of the lung. As the cancer grows,cancer cells break
away and spread to other parts of the body

How can Avastin help people with NSCLC?

Clinical trials have shown that people receiving Avastin plus a specific type of chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) in the first-line treatment of advanced NSCLC benefited compared with those receiving only chemotherapy. While results may vary, on average, people treated with Avastin plus chemotherapy were more likely to have a longer period of time before their tumors grew, and live longer than patients taking chemotherapy alone.

Avastin does have possible side effects. In clinical trials, some people treated with Avastin plus chemotherapy had serious side effects. To learn more about possible side effects, please see Possible Avastin Side Effects.

Talk with your doctor and the rest of your cancer care team about the potential benefits and potential risks of treatment. This way, you'll know what you might expect from Avastin-based therapy.

Next: How is Avastin Thought to Work?