Avastin® (bevacizumab) is a tumor-starving (anti-angiogenic) therapy. Avastin 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.
Unlike chemotherapy that attacks the cancer cells, the purpose of Avastin is to block the blood supply that feeds the tumor. This can stop the tumor from growing.
Tumor before treatment
New blood vessels feed the tumor so it can grow and spread.
Tumor with Avastin and chemotherapy
Avastin helps prevent blood vessels from reaching the tumor; this could starve the tumor.
However, in a study of mCRC patients who continued on Avastin for second-line treatment after a first-line treatment that included Avastin, tumors did not shrink.
In this video, Dr. Tsao, an oncologist, describes how Avastin is designed to work. Watch to see how Avastin may help starve your tumors.
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SEE HOW AVASTIN IS DESIGNED TO WORK
Avastin is a tumor-starving therapy. Watch a quick video that
explains how it’s designed to work.
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