The FDA has approved the use of Avastin for lung cancer combination treatment with carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy for first line treatment. Avasting is now approved for the most common lung cancer - locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic, non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

One third of all cancer deaths in the USA are of this type.

Avastin is the first therapy, approved by the FDA, designed to inhibit angiogenesis - the process by which new blood vessels develop and feed a tumor. The drug is also approved, in combination with intravenous 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy, for first- or second-line treatment of patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum.

The most serious adverse events linked to Avastin are:

-- arterial thromboembolic events
-- congestive heart failure
-- GI perforation
-- hemorrhage
-- hypertensive crisis
-- nephrotic syndrome
-- neutropenia and infection
-- reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome
-- wound healing complications

Avastin (bevacizumab)




View drug information on Avastin.