How Avastin works differently from chemotherapy

Chemotherapy attacks fast-growing cells, like cancer cells. Avastin^® (bevacizumab) works differently than chemotherapy.

For metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), Avastin is used with IV 5-FU-based chemotherapy and hits your cancer from another angle.

Avastin is a tumor-starving (anti-angiogenic) therapy. The purpose of Avastin is to prevent the growth of new blood vessels. This includes normal blood vessels and blood vessels that feed tumors.

Diagram of how chemotherapy and Avastin work and differ

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Avastin is a tumor starving therapy. Read more about how it’s designed to work.

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Indication

Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC)

Avastin is approved to treat metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) for:

First- or second-line treatment in combination with intravenous 5-fluorouracil–based chemotherapy
Second-line treatment when used with fluoropyrimidine-based (combined with irinotecan or oxaliplatin) chemotherapy after cancer progresses following a first-line treatment that includes Avastin

Avastin is not approved for use after the primary treatment of colon cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body.

Possible serious side effects

Everyone reacts differently to Avastin therapy. So, it's important to know what the side effects are. Although some people may have a life-threatening side effect, most do not. Your doctor will stop treatment if any serious side effects occur. Be sure to contact your health care team if there are any signs of these side effects.

Most serious side effects (not common, but sometimes fatal):

GI perforation. A hole that develops in your stomach or intestine. Symptoms include pain in your abdomen, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or fever
Wounds that don't heal. A cut made during surgery can be slow to heal or may not fully heal. Avastin should not be used for at least 28 days before or after surgery and until surgical wounds are fully healed
Serious bleeding. This includes vomiting or coughing up blood; bleeding in the stomach, brain, or spinal cord; nosebleeds; and vaginal bleeding. If you recently coughed up blood or had serious bleeding, be sure to tell your doctor

Other possible serious side effects

Abnormal passage in the body. This type of passage—known as a fistula—is an irregular connection from one part of the body to another and can sometimes be fatal
Severe high blood pressure. Blood pressure that severely spikes or shows signs of affecting the brain. Blood pressure should be monitored every 2 to 3 weeks while on Avastin and after stopping treatment
Kidney problems. These may be caused by too much protein in the urine and can sometimes be fatal
Infusion reactions. These were uncommon with the first dose (less than 3% of patients). 0.2% of patients had severe reactions. Infusion reactions include high blood pressure or severe high blood pressure that may lead to stroke, trouble breathing, decreased oxygen in red blood cells, a serious allergic reaction, chest pain, headache, tremors, and excessive sweating. Your doctor or nurse will monitor you for signs of infusion reactions
Severe stroke or heart problems. These may include blood clots, mini-stroke, heart attack, chest pain, and your heart may become too weak to pump blood to other parts of your body (congestive heart failure). These can sometimes be fatal
Nervous system and vision problems. Signs include headache, seizure, high blood pressure, sluggishness, confusion, and blindness

Side effects seen most often

In clinical studies across different types of cancer, some patients experienced the following side effects:

High blood pressure
Too much protein in the urine
Nosebleeds
Rectal bleeding
Back pain
Headache
Taste change
Dry skin
Inflammation of the skin
Inflammation of the nose
Watery eyes

Avastin is not for everyone

Talk to your doctor if you are:

Undergoing surgery. Avastin should not be used for 28 days before or after surgery and until surgical wounds are fully healed
Pregnant, think you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Data have shown that Avastin may harm your unborn baby. Use birth control while on Avastin. If you stop Avastin, you should keep using birth control for 6 months before trying to become pregnant. Taking Avastin could cause a woman’s ovaries to stop working and may impair her ability to have children. Breastfeeding while on Avastin may harm your baby and is therefore not recommended during and for 6 months after taking Avastin

If you have any questions about your condition or treatment, talk to your doctor.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Genentech at 1-888-835-2555.

Please see full Product Information, including Serious Side Effects, for additional important safety information.

How Avastin works differently from chemotherapy

GET FINANCIAL SUPPORT

FIND OUT HOW AVASTIN IS DESIGNED TO WORK

PATIENT RESOURCES

Important Safety Information & Indication

Indication

Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC)

Possible serious side effects

Other possible serious side effects

Side effects seen most often

Avastin is not for everyone