HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Avastin shows promise in HER2- breast cancer

gdpawel · 05-31-2008, 04:57 PM

Avastin works by choking off the blood vessels that provide a tumor with oxygen and nutrients (angiogenesis). Angiogenesis is essential for the growth and metastasis of cancer. With Avastin, the target is not the cells themselves but rather VEGF secreted by the tumor cells.

At a critical point in the growth of a tumor, the tumor sends out signals to nearby endothelial cells to activate new blood vessel growth. One of the endothelial growth factors (VEGF) is expressed by many tumors (but not all) and seems to be important in sustaining tumor growth.

Avastin complexes with free VEGF and blocks its action. And when you use Avastin as an anti-angiogenic enhancer and potentiator, the abrogating effect of it upon VEGF reduces the secretion of VEGF by the tumor cells. It both reduces VEGF and makes Avastin work better, possibly overcoming tumor resistance to Avastin.

The idea that approving drugs based on population studies has its limits. What may or my not work for the average population may not apply to the individual. There is a "functional" bio-marker (AngioRx™ Angiogenesis Profile) for Avastin and other anti-angiogenesis-related drugs.

The assay can report prospectively to a physician specifically which agent would benefit a cancer patient by thesting that patient's "live" cancer cells. Drug sensitivity profiles differ significantly among cancer patients even when diagnosed with the same cancer.

Knowing the drug sensitivity profile of a specific cancer patient allows the treating oncologist to prescribe a therapy that will be the most effective against the tumor cells "before" placing potentially toxic agents into the patient.

05-31-2008, 04:57 PM	#2
gdpawel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,080	Avastin for Breast Cancer Avastin works by choking off the blood vessels that provide a tumor with oxygen and nutrients (angiogenesis). Angiogenesis is essential for the growth and metastasis of cancer. With Avastin, the target is not the cells themselves but rather VEGF secreted by the tumor cells. At a critical point in the growth of a tumor, the tumor sends out signals to nearby endothelial cells to activate new blood vessel growth. One of the endothelial growth factors (VEGF) is expressed by many tumors (but not all) and seems to be important in sustaining tumor growth. Avastin complexes with free VEGF and blocks its action. And when you use Avastin as an anti-angiogenic enhancer and potentiator, the abrogating effect of it upon VEGF reduces the secretion of VEGF by the tumor cells. It both reduces VEGF and makes Avastin work better, possibly overcoming tumor resistance to Avastin. The idea that approving drugs based on population studies has its limits. What may or my not work for the average population may not apply to the individual. There is a "functional" bio-marker (AngioRx™ Angiogenesis Profile) for Avastin and other anti-angiogenesis-related drugs. The assay can report prospectively to a physician specifically which agent would benefit a cancer patient by thesting that patient's "live" cancer cells. Drug sensitivity profiles differ significantly among cancer patients even when diagnosed with the same cancer. Knowing the drug sensitivity profile of a specific cancer patient allows the treating oncologist to prescribe a therapy that will be the most effective against the tumor cells "before" placing potentially toxic agents into the patient.