How effective is Bevacizumab for ovarian cancer?

Bevacizumab, Avastin®, is a drug that is used to treat certain cancers, including ovarian cancer and breast cancer. It is an anti -angiogenic medicine, which means that it works by stopping or reducing the formation of blood vessels. This prevents tumors from growing by denied their blood they need to grow. The drug has obtained approval in the US for use in the treatment of several types of cancer, but since 2011 there is no ovarian cancer among those treated in this way. A study based on the results of the study concluded that Avastin® is not cost -effective as the therapy of primary ovarian cancer. The study concluded that the limited benefit of the drug does not justify high costs. A report recommending the use of this drug for ovarian cancer was produced in autumn 2010 by European Society for Clinical Oncology based on a separate study with similar results.

ifCancer is the result of metastases from primary colon cancer or rectum, then it turned out that the use of bevacizumab for ovarian cancer has better results. Secondary or metastatic cancer has the same type of cancer cells as the primary placement. This means that the use of bevacizumab for ovarian cancer, which began in the large intestine, leads to different results than the primary ovarian cancer because secondary cancer cells have different properties.

There are other concerns about the use of bevacizumab for ovarian cancer. A report made by gynecological oncologists in 2010 indicated that the drug doubled the risk of gastrointestinal complications such as perforation and bleeding. Women in the study have just been diagnosed and were treated with Avastin® and other types of chemotherapy. The risk level has been even more increased in women with a history of significant problems with their intestines.

Eventually there may be some help using this drug but not likely to beBeliem that it will be used very often. Patients should understand not only cost factors, but also the level of risk associated with the use of Avastin® to make informed decisions. This drug is considered best used only on secondary ovarian cancer, where it can be applied with good results.