Term: Avastin

Pronunciation: (uh-VAS-tin)

Description:

A drug that contains the active ingredient bevacizumab and is used to treat many different types of cancer. Avastin is used alone or with other drugs to treat certain types of cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma (a type of kidney cancer), glioblastoma (a type of brain cancer), hepatocellular carcinoma (a type of liver cancer), and ovarian epithelial, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Avastin binds to a protein called VEGF, which may prevent the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. It is a type of antiangiogenesis agent and a type of monoclonal antibody.