[Bevacizumab (Avastin)].

Abstract

Angiogenesis is one of the hallmarks of cancer. Among the identified angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a crucial regulator of angiogenesis in normal and malignant tissue. Increased expression of VEGF has been detected in most tumors of humans, and it is associated with increased risks of recurrence, metastasis, and death. Bevacizumab (Avastin), a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody targeting VEGF, has been evaluated in various solid tumors. Some pivotal phase III trials demonstrated that the addition of bevacizumab to conventional chemotherapy showed a survival benefit with acceptable toxicity. The United States Food and Drug Administration approved the use of bevacizumab for patients with unresectable colorectal cancer and unresectable non-squamous, non small cell lung cancer. In April 2007, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare approved bevacizumab for patients with unresectable colorectal cancer. The usage of bevacizumab will be stipulated in combination with 5-fluorouracil containing chemotherapy at a dose of 5 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg given every 14 days. To know its efficacy and safety of bevacizumab is necessary for Japanese patients in the clinical practice.

• Authors: Kentaro Yamazaki, Takayuki Yoshino, Narikazu Boku
• Journal: Gan to kagaku ryoho. Cancer & chemotherapy (Gan To Kagaku Ryoho) Vol. 34 Issue 8 Pg. 1183-91 (Aug 2007) ISSN: 0385-0684 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 17687199 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Angiogenesis Inhibitors
• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Organoplatinum Compounds
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• Oxaliplatin
• Bevacizumab
• Irinotecan
• Leucovorin
• Fluorouracil
• Camptothecin

Topics

• Angiogenesis Inhibitors (administration & dosage)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (administration & dosage)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Bevacizumab
• Breast Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Camptothecin (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives)
• Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung (drug therapy)
• Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
• Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic
• Colonic Neoplasms (drug therapy, metabolism, surgery)
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Drug Approval
• Female
• Fluorouracil (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Irinotecan
• Leucovorin (administration & dosage)
• Lung Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Male
• Organoplatinum Compounds (administration & dosage)
• Oxaliplatin
• Rectal Neoplasms (drug therapy, metabolism, surgery)
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (biosynthesis)