bevacizumab

Definition of bevacizumab

bevacizumab (beh-vuh-SIH-zoo-mab): A drug that binds to the protein VEGF to help keep new blood vessels from forming and is used to treat many different types of cancer. Bevacizumab is used under the brand names Alymsys, Mvasi, Avastin, and Zirabev, 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), and glioblastoma (a type of brain cancer). The Alymsys and Avastin brands of bevacizumab are also used to treat certain types of ovarian epithelial, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer. The Avastin brand is also used to treat certain types of hepatocellular carcinoma (a type of liver cancer). Bevacizumab is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. It may prevent the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. Bevacizumab is a type of antiangiogenesis agent and a type of monoclonal antibody.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms