Bevacizumab
Bevacizumab, sold under the brand name Avastin among others, is a monoclonal antibody medication used to treat a number of types of cancers and a specific eye disease. For cancer, it is given by slow injection into a vein (intravenous) and used for colon cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, glioblastoma, and renal-cell carcinoma. In many of these diseases it is used as a first-line therapy. For age-related macular degeneration it is given by injection into the eye (intravitreal).
| Monoclonal antibody | |
|---|---|
| Type | Whole antibody |
| Source | Humanized (from mouse) |
| Target | VEGF-A |
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| Pronunciation | /ˌbɛvəˈsɪzjʊmæb/ |
| Trade names | Avastin, others |
| Biosimilars | bevacizumab-adcd, bevacizumab-awwb, bevacizumab-bvzr, bevacizumab-maly, bevacizumab-tnjn, Abevmy, Alymsys, Avzivi, Aybintio, Bambevi, Bevacip, Bevaciptin, Equidacent, Mvasi, Onbevzi, Oyavas, Vegzelma, Zirabev |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| MedlinePlus | a607001 |
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| Routes of administration | Intravenous, intravitreal |
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| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | 100% (IV only) |
| Elimination half-life | 20 days (range: 11–50 days) |
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| Formula | C6638H10160N1720O2108S44 |
| Molar mass | 149198.87 g·mol−1 |
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Common side effects when used for cancer include nose bleeds, headache, high blood pressure, and rash. Other severe side effects include gastrointestinal perforation, bleeding, allergic reactions, blood clots, and an increased risk of infection. When used for eye disease side effects can include vision loss and retinal detachment. Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody that functions as an angiogenesis inhibitor. It works by slowing the growth of new blood vessels by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), in other words anti–VEGF therapy.
Bevacizumab was approved for medical use in the United States in 2004. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines It is listed for its use in treating eye disease.