Bevacizumab: Anti-VEGF Targeted Therapy Guide
Bevacizumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody that functions as an angiogenesis inhibitor. It selectively binds to the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), neutralizing its activity. By doing so, it inhibits the formation of new blood vessels that supply the tumor, effectively starving cancer cells and blocking metastasis.
This agent is a cornerstone of targeted therapy in modern oncology. On Unifarm, you can find a list of medications and biosimilars containing this active ingredient.
Indications
- Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: In combination with fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy.
- Metastatic Breast Cancer: As first-line therapy.
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): Unresectable, metastatic, or recurrent.
- Renal Cell Carcinoma (Kidney Cancer): Metastatic (in combination with interferon alfa-2a).
- Glioblastoma: Recurrent form.
- Ovarian and Cervical Cancer: Advanced stages.
Dosage and administration
Bevacizumab is administered exclusively via intravenous infusion. Bolus injection is strictly prohibited. Dosage is calculated by a physician based on body weight and cancer type.
General Guidelines:
- Standard doses range from 5 mg/kg to 15 mg/kg of body weight.
- Frequency: Once every 2 or 3 weeks.
- The initial dose is delivered over 90 minutes. If well-tolerated, the second infusion may be shortened to 60 minutes, and subsequent ones to 30 minutes.
- Hypersensitivity to Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell products or other recombinant antibodies.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding (teratogenic due to angiogenesis inhibition).
- Renal and hepatic impairment (safety profile not established).
- Children under 18 years of age.
Therapy requires strict monitoring due to potential severe complications:
- Cardiovascular: Hypertension, arterial/venous thromboembolism, hemorrhage.
- Gastrointestinal: Gastrointestinal perforation (rare but life-threatening), diarrhea, abdominal pain.
- Renal: Proteinuria (protein in urine).
- Wound Healing: Impaired wound healing (therapy should not be initiated for at least 28 days following major surgery).
