Bevacizumab: Experimental Treatment in Early Lung Cancer & Breast Cancer

In the fight against breast cancer and lung cancer, there continues to be an aggressive approach to research and development. For some cancer patients, the use of experimental drugs and treatment may provide the key therapeutic advantages, ultimately placing the cancer into remission.

In the research of drugs, the use of Bevacizumab has shown some therapeutic benefit for these specific types of cancers; breast and lung. While not FDA approved for use in breast cancer and lung cancer patients, there is hope that this recombinant antibody will soon prove its effectiveness in the treatment plan for cancer patients.

As a drug that shows exceptional tolerance in cancer patients, the use of Bevacizumab would be prescribed as a supportive drug or a drug that is used in combination with other cancer therapy drugs. At present, the use of Bevacizumab is approved and effective, as a first-line, intravenous therapy, in the fight against colon and rectal cancers.

While there are many advantages to the use of Bevacizumab in the treatment of breast cancer and lung cancer, there are some healthcare professionals who are concerned over the increased risk for specific complications. Such complications seen with the use of Bevacizumab include complexities in wound healing, risk for developing congestive heart failure, and the risk for arterial thromboembolism development. As a result, if your oncologist chooses to use Bevacizumab as part of your cancer therapy, it is important to become familiar with these health risks. Managing hypertension is also important with this form of cancer therapy.

In addition to adverse health complications, the use of Bevacizumab may not be effective forms of cancer therapy is some lung cancer and breast cancer patients. Specifically, the use of Bevacizumab has been shown to be most effective when used early in the cancer therapy process. Delaying use may result in a lack of effectiveness in some cancer patients.