Mesothelioma Articles

Avastin

Avastin is an investigational recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody to vascular endothelial cell growth factor (rhuMAb-VEGF). Avastin, formerly known as anti-VEGF is designed to bind to and inhibit Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), a protein that plays a critical role in tumor angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels to the tumor) and maintenance of established tumor blood vessels. Genentech recently announced that a Phase III clinical study in metastatic colorectal cancer patients met its primary endpoint of improving overall survival.

Development Rationale VEGF, which was first discovered by Genentech scientist, Napoleone Ferrara, is a protein that is secreted from hypoxic (lacking oxygen) cells, including those that are malignant or cancerous. VEGF stimulates new blood vessel formation, or angiogenesis, by binding to specific receptors on nearby blood vessels to stimulate extensions to existing blood vessels.

Research has shown that angiogenesis, by supplying blood to tumors, plays an important role in both tumor growth and metastasis. Once VEGF was identified, Genentech scientists developed a humanized monoclonal antibody, rhuMAb-VEGF, that is designed to bind to VEGF preventing it from binding to its receptors and therefore potentially inhibiting tumor growth.

Source: Genetech.com

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