Bevacizumab

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Bevacizumab (trade name Avastin, Genentech / Roche) is a monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A). It is used in the treatment of cancer, where it inhibits tumor growth by blocking the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis). Bevacizumab was the first clinically available angiogenesis inhibitor in the United States.

Bevacizumab is currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for cancers that are metastatic (have spread to other parts of the body). It received its first approval in 2004 was for combination use with standard chemotherapy for metastatic colon cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. In 2008, it was approved by the FDA for use in metastatic breast cancer, a decision that generated some controversy as it went against the recommendation of its advisory panel, who objected because it only slowed tumor growth but failed to extend survival.

Clinical studies are underway in non-metastatic colon cancer, non-metastatic breast cancer, renal cell carcinoma, glioblastoma multiforme,

ovarian cancer, hormone-refractory prostate cancer, non-metastatic unresectable liver cancer and metastatic or unresectable locally advanced

pancreatic cancer.

Background

Bevacizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody, and was the first commercially available angiogenesis inhibitor. It stops tumor growth by preventing the formation of new blood vessels by targeting and inhibiting the function of a natural protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that stimulates new blood vessel formation.

The drug was first developed as a genetically engineered version of a mouse antibody that contains both human and mouse components. Genentech is able to produce the antibody in production-scale quantities.

Indications

Bevacizumab was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in February 2004 for use in metastatic colorectal cancer when used with standard chemotherapy treatment. It was approved by the EMEA in January 2005 for use in colorectal cancer. Israel has also approved the use of bevacizumab.

In 2006, the FDA approved bevacizumab for use in lung cancer in combination with standard first-line chemotherapy. A study conducted by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) demonstrated a 2-month improvement in overall survival in patients with Stage IIIb/IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Due to the observance of severe pulmonary hemorrhage in patients with NSCLC with squamous histology in an earlier study, patients with such histology were excluded from the pivotal ECOG trial.

In 2008, the FDA approved Bevacizumab for use in breast cancer. A panel of outside advisers voted 5 to 4 against approval, but their recommendations were overruled. The panel expressed concern that data from the clinical trial did not show any increase in quality of life or prolonging of life for patients - two important benchmarks for late-stage cancer treatments. The clinical trial did show that bevacizumab reduced tumor volumes and showed an increase in progression free survival time]. It was based on this data that the FDA chose to overrule the recommendation of the panel of advisers. The decision was lauded by patient advocacy groups and some oncologists. Other oncologists felt that granting approval for late-stage cancer therapies that did not prolong or increase the quality of life for patients would give license to pharmaceutical companies to ignore these important benchmarks when developing new late-stage cancer therapies. Bevacizumab is usually given intravenously through the arm every 14 days. In colon cancer, it is given in combination with the chemotherapy drug 5-FU (5-fluorouracil), leucovorin, and oxaliplatin or irinotecan.

Investigational

Bevacizumab has also demonstrated activity in metastatic renal cell cancer, ovarian cancer, and glioblastoma multiforme, a type of brain tumour, when used as a single agent. FDA approvals for Avastin in renal cell carcinoma and glioblastoma multiforme are expected in 2009.

Non oncologic uses

Bevacizumab has recently been used by ophthalmologists as an intravitreal agent in the treatment of proliferative (neovascular) eye diseases, particularly for choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Although not currently approved by the FDA for such use, the injection of 1.25-2.5 mg of bevacizumab into the vitreous cavity has been performed without significant intraocular toxicity (although not studied in a contolled environment). Many retina specialists have noted impressive results in the setting of CNV, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, neovascular glaucoma, diabetic macular edema, and macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusions.

Ranibizumab, a Fab fragment derived from the same parent molecule as bevacizumab, has been developed by Genentech (by the same scientist Napoleone Ferrara) for intraocular use. This drug, under the trade name Lucentis, now has FDA approval. It has undergone extensive clinical trials. Reports indicate substantially better outcomes in patients treated with inravitreal Lucentis than conventional treatments in people with choroidal neovascularization (wet age related macular degeneration). Most patients with choroidal neovascularization lose vision or at best maintain vision despite treatment with laser, photodynamic therapy or Macugen. A much larger proportion (up to 70%) gained vision with Lucentis. Lucentis is however very expensive ($1500-2000 per injection, - the studies were done with monthly intravitreal injections). Bevacizumab is significantly cheaper (<$100 a shot versus >$1500) it appears to be safe (at least in the short term) and many doctors have noticed improvements in vision and outcomes similar to those seen with Lucentis. As Genentech has developed both drugs it has little interest in seeing Bevacizumab use in the eye and it is likely to remain off label. Off-label use of this medication has created significant controversy in medical retina and vitreo-retinal surgery. On October 11, 2007, Genentech issued a letter to Physicians that they would not longer sell Avastin to compounding pharmacies. This will effectively stop its use for macular degeneration patients who have no insurance coverage for Ranibizumab (Lucentis®) and for any patient who has other vision threatening conditions where Bevacizumab has been shown to work.

The National Eye Institute (NEI)--of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)--announced in October 2006 that it would fund a comparative study trial of ranibizumab (Lucentis®) and bevacizumab (Avastin®) to assess the relative safety and effectiveness in treating AMD. This study, called the Comparison of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatment Trials (CATT Study), will enroll about 1,200 patients with newly diagnosed wet AMD, randomly assigning the patients to one of four treatment groups:

(Group1) Lucentis with four-week dosing, and after one year, re-randomization to Lucentis every four weeks or variable dosing as required based on diagnostic findings;

(Group 2) Avastin with four-week dosing, and after one year, re-randomization to Avastin every four weeks or variable dosing as required based on diagnostic findings;

(Group 3) Lucentis on a variable dosing schedule for 2 years; after initial treatment, with monthly evaluation and re-treatment based on signs of lesion activity; and

(Group 4) Avastin on a variable dosing schedule for 2 years; after initial treatment, with monthly evaluation and re-treatment based on signs of lesion activity.

The CATT Study will be conducted at 47 clinical sites throughout the United States, which will follow the patients for two years and is expected to take four years to complete. Enrollment is expected to begin December 1, 2007 with one-year follow-up data to be reported in 2009.

The primary goals of the study are to better understand the safety and efficacy of intravitreal Avastin and to develop better dosing and re-treatment guidelines for both Avastin and Lucentis.

The Lions Eye Institute (LEI) announced in July 2006 it was running a clinical trial with bevacizumab on 100 patients, and that the results were positive. http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200607/s1677557.htm

Side effects

Bevacizumab inhibits the growth of blood vessels, which is part of the body's normal healing and maintenance. The body grows new blood vessels in wound healing, and as collateral circulation around blocked or atherosclerotic blood vessels. One concern is that bevacizumab will interfere with these normal processes, and worsen conditions like coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease.

The main side effects are hypertension and heightened risk of bleeding. Bowel perforation has been reported. In advanced lung cancer, less than half of patients qualify for treatment. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome,nasal septum perforation, and renal thrombotic microangiopathy have been reported.

These effects are largely avoided in ophthalmological use since the drug is introduced directly into the eye thus minimizing any effects on the rest of the body.

Frequent side effects:

1. High blood pressure (hypertension) -- in up to 67 % of people
2. Abdominal pain (stomach pain) -- up to 61 %
3. Vomiting -- up to 52 %
4. Upper respiratory tract infection (such as the common cold) -- up to 47 %
5. Loss of appetite -- up to 43 %
6. Constipation -- up to 40 %
7. Nosebleeds -- up to 35 %
8. Diarrhea -- up to 34 %
9. Hair loss -- up to 32 %
10. Mouth sores -- up to 32 %

Less frequent side effects (2-30 %):

1. Dizziness
2. Headaches
3. Indigestion or heartburn
4. Changes in taste
5. Fatigue
6. Weight loss
7. Low blood pressure (hypotension)
8. Nausea
9. Weakness
10. Dehydration
11. Voice changes
12. Dry mouth
13. Skin sores

Costs

Bevacizumab is one of the most expensive drugs widely marketed. Doctors and editorials have criticized the high cost, for a drug that doesn't cure cancer but only prolongs life. In the U.S., insurance companies have refused to pay for all or part of the costs of bevacizumab, and in countries with national health care systems, such as the U.K. and Canada, the health care systems have restricted its use because of the low ratio of benefits to cost. Genentech argues that the benefit is worth the cost, and the high cost pays for the expensive and risky research needed to develop new drugs. Genentech has adjusted the price for patients in certain circumstances.

For colorectal cancer, Meyer wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine that bevacizumab extended life by 4.7 months (20.3 months vs. 15.6 months) in the initial study, at a cost of $42,800 to $55,000

For breast cancer, the addition of bevacizumab to standard treatment can prolong the lives of breast and lung cancer patients by several months, at a cost of $100,000 a year.

Additional Resources

• Avastin Prescribing Information, Genentech Inc., October 2006, www.clinicaltrials.gov

External links

• Avastin.com
• Avastin-info.com Information for healthcare professionals outside of the US
• A Cancer Drug Shows Promise, at a Price That Many Can't Pay New York Times, February 15, 2006, Alex Berenson
• NCI Drug Information Summary on Bevacizumab for Patients
• NCI Drug Dictionary Definition for Bevacizumab
• Phase II Clinical Trial of Bevacizumab for Adenocarcinoma of the Pancreas
• CATT Study Update 3: Avastin vs. Lucentis -- To Get Underway by Year's End!