Avastin (Bevacizumab)

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Avastin is a novel new biological agent  with a generic name called bevacizumab. This information sheet provides a brief introduction to Avastin and explains the common side effects you may experience. This does not mean you will definitely get them. It is also possible you may experience a side effect not mentioned here.

Avastin is usually used in conjunction with a chemotherapy agent called 5 Fluorouracil/folonic acid or Taxol sometimes given with  irinotecan capecitabine or vinorelbine. It is generally given to patients with bresat or colorectal cancer but there is emerging evidence of benefit with other cancers.  The exact combination would have been explained to you by your doctor and you should also refer to the specific information and advice sheet relating to these other drugs.

 

WHAT IS AVASTIN? 
Avastin is currently licensed as a treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer. This means that cancer cells have spread from the original site in the colon or rectum to another part of the body (most often the liver). Avastin is not a chemotherapy or a hormone  but a class of agents known either as immunotherapy or biological therapies. More specifically they are a group of large proteins called monoclonal antibody (Mab).  These agents are similar to the antibodies the body's own immune system normally makes when we have a bacterial or viral infection but in this case it has been made in a laboratory and attacks specific targets on cancer cells.   In the case of Avastin the target (otherwise called the antigen) is a protein called Vascular Epidermal Growth Factor (VEGF).  Avastin binds to VEGF, rendering it unable to then bind with its receptor which in turn by blocking the formation of new blood vessels then interferes with the growth of the tumour (see below).

 

HOW DOES AVASTIN WORK? 
When cancer cells spread to another part of the body they try to form a lump or tumour mass. In order to do this, they need to rapidly stimulate the local blood vessels and capillaries to grow into the tumour mass in order to nourish the cancer cells with food and oxygen (a process called angiogenesis). They achieve this by releasing a chemical into the surrounding tissues called Vascular Epidermal Growth Factor (see adjacent picture). Avastin, being a monoclonal antibody which attaches to circulating VEGF,  effectively blocks its ability to bind to its receptors in the tissues of the body, most importantly those surrounding tumours. Avastin, therefore interferes with the tumours ability to recruit new blood vessels reducing their ability to grow and spread to other areas of the body. As this process is universal to most bowel tumours, there is no requirement to perform extra laboratory tests on the cancer cells prior to Avastin therapy. There is also evidence that Avastin enhances the effect of chemotherapy. It is thought they make tumour vessels less "leaky" and so allows chemotherapy to reach the tumour more effectively.

 

HOW IS AVASTIN GIVEN? 
Avastin cannot be taken orally as it would be destroyed by your stomach. It is therefore infused into a vein usually in your arm or hand. The first treatment with Avastin will normally take 90 minutes, and will be given after your chemotherapy. After this you’ll be given one ‘maintenance’ dose usually every 2 weeks. Over time, the infusion time may decrease  to around 60 and then 30 minutes once your doctor is happy that you have no problems. Occasionally, as with all protein based drugs it is possible to get an allergic reaction (<3% of cases). The nurses will therefore be checking how you are feeling and measuring your breathing, pulse and blood pressure regularly. Sometimes, in response to mild reaction, the infusion may have to be slowed down over several hours. Rarely if the allergic reaction is prominent it has to be stopped altogether. To avoid a mild reaction paracetamol and an antihistamine are sometimes given before the infusion.  As mentioned Avastin is usually given in conjunction will chemotherapy the administration schedule and side effect also depend on these drugs. As with other therapies, your doctors will also check your blood before treatment, to ensure adequate function of your bone marrow, kidneys and liver.


 ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS WITH AVASTIN? 
When given with chemotherapy the side effect normally relate to the chemotherapy - you should also have been given an information sheet relating to your chemotherapy. Avastin in general, is well tolerated, and does not make these worse.  Avastin may, however, have some mild side effects on its own which may occur in addition to those caused by chemotherapy:- 

The early effects are rare (<3%) and related to an "allergic" reaction. If they do occur, it is often while the drug is being infused or immediately after. Potential side effects include:

ARE THERE ANY RISKS WITH AVASTIN? 
 Some patients experience an increase in their blood pressure and may need to take tablets to lower it. Having high blood pressure does not mean you are not eligible for Avastin provided it is controlled before treatment. All patients on Avastin will have their blood pressure monitored during therapy.

The amount of protein in your urine may rise higher than normal (particularly if your blood pressure is also raised) – your medical team will check your urine from time to time. If the protein continues at a high level then Avastin may have to be stopped.

There is a small risk of gastrointestinal perforation or bleeding from the bowel (<2%). Before treatment with Avastin, your doctor will therefore ask you whether you have a history of stomach complaints such as active gastric ulcers or colitis. 

Avastin may adversely affect wound healing. Therapy should therefore, not be initiated for at least 28 days following major surgery. Likewise, if an elective operation is necessary, Avastin should be withdrawn until healing is complete. 

Minor nose bleeds lasting less than 5 minutes requiring no medical intervention is known to occur in 20-30% of patients. In patients with bowel cancer <3% had a bleed from their  tumours. If you notice blood in your stool or vomit or have abdominal pains please report this to your medical team.

There is often an increased risk of blood clots in patients with cancer particularly whilst on chemotherapy, this risk increases slightly further with Avastin therapy. It is important therefore to keep as active and mobile as feasible and to report any chest pain, unexplained breathlessness or dizziness to your medical team. 

WHY HAVE YOU BEEN RECOMMENDED AVASTIN?  
Unfortunately, by the time you are to be considered for Avastin your disease has spread from the primary site in the bowel and is progressing. The aim of treatment now is not to cure, but to control  specific symptoms caused by the tumour.  This is sometimes known as palliative treatment. It is hoped that treatment  improves your quality of life; therefore the side effects from the treatment should not outweigh the benefits of shrinking the tumour.

HOW WILL YOU KNOW TREATMENT IS WORKING?  
Your doctor would require evidence that treatment is helping particularly after a 2-3 months. This can range from a number of sources including; an improvement in a specific symptom such as pain, a shrinkage of a lump on examination, improvements in a blood test such as the CEA (cancer embryonic antigen) or often evidence from repeat X-rays and scans such as CT or MRI. If there is no palliative benefit by this time treatment should be stopped as it may be doing more harm than good. If there is evidence of response, treatment will continue provided continuing palliative benefit is achieved. The Avastin may well continue after the chemotherapy has finished but the precise duration of treatment depends on a close dialogue between yourself and your oncologist.

HOW LONG WILL YOU TAKE AVASTIN? 
As mentioned above if there is no palliative or objective benefit, treatment should be stopped as soon as this is known - usually after 2-3 cycles of chemotherapy. If there is a benefit however treatment may continue for as long as there is a response.

OTHER LIFESTYLE QUESTIONS RELATING TO AVASTIN

Helpful resources and links
Cancernet-UK: What is cancer;  About specific cancers; Breast | Prostate | Bowel.  About cancer treatments; Chemotherapy | Radiotherapy | Hormones | Biological agents | Complementary.  Lifestyle advice; Exercise | Diet | Smoking | Sunbathing | Alcohol.  Cope with symptoms;  Traveling | Insurance  | Tests for cancer | Clinical trials. ...site map
Micro-nutrient testing Empower yourself to make dietary choices specific to your personal make up. This Cancer Risk Nutritional Profile, analyses your blood profile and recommends specific dietary and supplement advice to ensure you have the best possible nutritional status to fight cancer an aid recovery from treatments....read more
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Look after your family after cancer - A diagnosis of cancer can cause a strain on family harmony. With emotions running high its not a good time to be upset further by destructive arguments. This practical little book has identified the situations where arguments are most likely to happen and provides simple tips to navigate around them...download £1.99
Lifestyle and cancer - the facts. This 2011, edition with a foreword from Paula Radcliffe has been extensively re-written with evidence from the latest research from around the world which demonstrates how diet, exercise and lifestyle changes can; help avoid cancer (read chapter 9 free), cope with treatments side effects; slow the rate of progression of cancer and help prevent  relapse.  This comprehensive essential lifestyle guidebook can be ordered online (£8.95), or downloaded via kindle
Prepared for cancer treatments. Patients and professionals, teamed up with Sue Lawley to produce this 21 minute film which explains chemotherapy & radiotherapy while you watch patients, describing their experiences, side effects and methods to alleviate them. Awarded the NHS communication prize ...  read more / order individually or in bulk for your oncology department 
Keep-healthy.com Practical evidence based advice on healthy living including ways to naturally reduce cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, keep healthy eyesight, hearing, maintain a healthy weight and level of fitness. Includes advice on supplements and other useful products...link
Support groups and self help organisations throughout the UK and internationally. Links to Asian support organisations; Read patient stories, poems and links to the Cancer active website addressing a wide range of complementary issues related to cancer and their a quarterly magazine (ICON)..  submit a link to your group